Golden Treasure Inside is Hid

Eregion Part I: The Ring Goes South

2012-03-11T20:35:00.002-05:00


Entering Hollin

Eregion is one of my favorite places to quest. Maybe it's the bright red holly trees that dot the landscape and look so cheerful. Or the view of the famous three peaks of the Misty Mountains off in the distance. Or the suddenly overcast skies that bring a long downpour. Or the blinding snowstorms on the slopes of Tal Caradhras. I admit to sometimes being a weather-mood player - sometimes I just want to go play in an area because I'm in the mood for the particular weather or landscape it provides. Or perhaps it is as Gandalf said, "Much evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves, if once they dwelt there" - there is a wholesome feeling in this part of Eregion (at least until you hit the wood trolls). In fact we'll look more at the Elves who dwelt here long ago in a future post. But most importantly, Eregion is a pivotal location in both the LOTRO game and Middle Earth lore.

I like that Eregion permits us to so closely follow the path of the Fellowship. Starting with that left turn at the Ford of Bruinen and heading south toward Hollin (although in the Fellowship of the Ring, it took the group about two weeks to reach Hollin!), climbing up the ridge to see the trees with their dark green leaves and berries glowing red in the sun, catching the first glimpse of the mountain peaks off to the west, just as the Fellowship did.

In face, the deed "The Ring Goes South" (named after that chapter of the Fellowship of the Ring, of course) takes us to five important points that follow the journey of the Fellowship through Eregion.

The High Hollin Campsite

Our Deed Tracker tells us: "This campsite marks a place where the Company of the Ring stayed during their journey through Hollin. A careless Hobbit left his mark as well."


The High Hollin Campsite

The Fellowship of the Rings tells us: "That morning they lit a fire in a deep hollow shrouded by great bushes of holly, and their supper-breakfast was merrier than it had been since they set out." The company had intended to rest a day in this spot and not travel again until the following night. They made a fire, and Sam and Aragorn sat up watching while the others rested. It was in this spot that Aragorn noted the unusual silence - no bird calls or sounds of any other animals. This was also the location in which the scouting flock of crebain passed overhead.

In LOTRO, a quest out of Gwingris will send you to this campsite where you can learn exactly what was left behind, and also open the location deed (+1 Honesty, 5 Tubine Points, and Rivendell rep!)

The Tal Caradhras Campsite

The Tal Caradhras Campsite

Our Deed Tracker tells us: "The Company of the Ring rested here before continuing on to the Redhorn Gate. Sam Gamgee clearly took the opportunity to provide a fine meal for the Company...."

In the book, the Company left the prior site in Hollin and, guided by Aragorn, came across what appeared to be the remains of an old road that lead toward the Redhorn Gate. They travelled in this direction for a couple days, at one point feeling a shadow pass over them in the cold darkness just before dawn. They stop for one last rest and make another camp before tackling the long cold climb up to the Pass. It is here that Gandalf and Aragorn go aside to quietly debate the wisdom of taking this path vs. Moria, and also here that Boromir proposes they gather firewood for each to carry in case it is needed up on the mountain.

The Redhorn Gate

In LOTRO, a quest line from Echad Eregion will send you to this site - again to track something a careless Hobbit left behind, you'd think Gandalf would be smacking Hobbits with his staff by now.

The Caradhras Campfire

Our Deed Tracker tells us: "It was here that the Company of the Ring set camp in the Redhorn Gate. Gandalf was forced to show forth his power to light the fire, revealing himself to all who had the ability to recognize it, putting the Company in jeopardy."

Everyone knows the journey up the path of Caradhras the Cruel, with the increasing snow, the fell voices on the wind, the falling rocks. The Company rested against the side of a cliff, with some of the Hobbits falling asleep and coming close to freezing to death. It was here that Gandalf gave everyone a sip of miruvor, a drink from Imladris, which brought a renewed sense of strength and vigour. It was also the place where they decided to risk discovery in order to light a life-saving campfire.

The Caradhras Campsite

"At last reluctantly Gandalf himself took a hand. Picking up a faggot he held it aloft for a moment, and then with a word of command, naur an endraith ammen! He thrust the end of his staff into the midst of it. At once a great spout of green and blue flame sprang out, and the wood flared and sputtered.

" 'If there are any to see, then I at least am revealed to them,' he said. 'I have written Gandalf is here in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin.' "

But the snow and wind didn't stop, while the wood burned away. Eventually the Company retreated. Caradhras would not yield.

This site can of course be visited as well, and is a much more challenging place to see given that it is surrounded by ice grims and blinding snow. Nothing seems to have been left behind here, however, other than the remains of the campfire.

After this, the Company continued south and elected to let the Ring Bearer choose whether they would proceed through Moria, or south to Rohan. In the midst of their discussion in their new location, Frodo noted, "How the wind howls!"

The Burnt Tor

Indeed.

The Burnt Tor

Our Deed Tracker tells us: "Here it was that the Company of the Ring fended off a pack of shadow-wargs sent by Sauron to hunt down the Ring. The wargs were at least driven off when Gandalf the Grey caused a powerful fire to blaze forth, a fire which ruined the wooded hilltop."

The wind was howling with the voices of wargs, of course. This was the deciding factor to turn them all in favor of Moria - shut themselves off from pursuit from these or other wargs or beasts that may be sent after them.

But first they had to escape from this imminent problem. "For their defence in the night the Company climbed to the top of the small hill under which they had been sheltering. It was crowned with a knot of old and twisted trees, about which lay a broken circle of boulder-stones. In the midst of this they lit a fire, for there was no hope that darkness and silence would keep their trail from discovery by the hunting packs."

After a second siege surrounded by wargs, Gandalf again takes matters into his hands, speaking some familiar words: " 'Naur an endraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!' he cried. There was a roar and a crackle, and the tree above him burst into a leaf and bloom of blinding flame. The first leapt from tree-top to tree-top. The whole hill was crowned with dazzling light."

I particularly like how embers are still glowing in the tree trunks, showing us that the Fellowship was here very, very recently. The attack by the wargs occurs on January 13 in the book. I am not aware specifically what the date is meant to be in the game at the point we are journeying through Eregion - January 14? 15? - and if anyone does know I would enjoy hearing.

The Sirannon Gate to the right.

The Sirannon Gate

Our Deed Tracker tells us: "This gateway leads up the Sirannon to the Hollin Gate."

On this same day, the Fellowship hastens to find the entrance to Moria, going astray for a few hours that morning because they cannot find the Sirannon, the Gate-stream, that would lead them to the entrance. Finally Gimli spots it, but it is not as they expect - instead of a flowing stream, it is a rocky, dry riverbed.

In LOTRO the transition to the Walls of Moria area is marked by an actual gate between Echad Dunann and the Sirannon, which is also the point to pick up the quests to start Volume II. Legendary Items here we come!

The discovery deed for The Ring Goes South is now complete. However, there are still a few important points of interest that also lay on the Fellowship's trail.

The Stair Falls

The Stairs and the dry Stair Falls.

This once marked the spot where the water of the Sirannon flowed down from a small valley that lay in front of the Walls of Moria. The Sirannon flowed out of Moria, and a road followed it. A series of steep stairs were carved into the rock leading up to the valley.

The Black Pool

The Black Pool - NOT what the Company expected.

Of course the waters of the Sirannon have been dammed, and nothing flows now over the Falls except a small trickle. A quick climb to the top of the Stairs shows us why - the valley in front of the Walls of Moria is filled with stagnant slimy water and...well, we know what else.

Far across the Black Pool we see the shadow that is the flung-open doors to Moria. We'll be visiting them very soon.

I have always enjoyed that sense of being one step behind the Fellowship as I traveled across Eregion. Sure, we actually got to see them and interact with them in Rivendell, but this is different. It's being so close to the real action of the Fellowship. No matter how many times I do these quests and visit these sites, that feeling never goes away.

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring; Lord of the Rings Appendix B

The Tombs of Evendim

2012-02-26T21:34:00.004-06:00

My apologies for the long time since my last post; my pesky profession outside Middle Earth got the better of me for a while. I like it much better here!

My Captain, Leeowyn, has been finishing quests and deeds in Evendim. I really enjoy playing in that area, particularly since the update last year. Admittedly it helps to get things done in Annúminas if you are 75! It allows plenty of opportunity to linger and take in the sights.

Just outside of Annúminas is Men Erain, the "Way of the Kings," where the tombs of many of the Kings of Arnor can be found. The deed, "The Tombs of Evendim," will take you here to explore the location of each tomb. LOTRO has it right, these were indeed the rulers of Arnor, but let's look a bit more at the history of each king of who lies here, as well as those who do not.

Names with Bold/Underline are part of the Tombs of Evendim exploration deed (+1 Fidelity and 5 Turbine Points!). The dates reflect the start and end of rule for each king. The description for some of the kings indicate a "premature death," which is defined in Appendix A as follows: "premature death, in battle or otherwise, though an annal of the event is not always included."

Haudh Elendil

1. Elendil - 3320-3441 Second Age (premature death). Elendil was born in 3119 of the Second Age, in Númenor. His father was named Valandil, and was the chief of the party of Elf-friends. After the fall of Númenor in 3319, Elendil established the "realms in exile" in Middle Earth - Arnor in the north, with the ruling seat located at Annúminas, and Gondor in the South, with the ruling seat at Osgiliath. His rule lasted over 100 years, until the time of the Last Alliance. What many do not realize is the Siege of Barad-dûr took 7 long years, starting in 3434 and ending with the overthrow of Sauron in 3441. Both Elendil and Gil-galad were slain. Elendil's remains were never brought back north to Annúminas. Instead he was buried secretly in a spot known to the Rohirrim as Halifirien, and in Sindarin as Amon Anwar - a beacon hill in the White Mountains in Gondor, which at that time was the center of the kingdom of Gondor. When Rohan was granted to Eorl in 2510 of the Third Age, the remains of Elendil were then reinterred in the Hallows of Minas Tirith. Hence the Tomb that gives us an incredible 6-man instance around level 40, was always an empty one. Doesn't matter, do the instance anyway! It is one of the longest quest chains in the game, with a LOT of running back and forth, but well worth it in the end. You will be doing a great service to Aragorn, Heir of Elendil, if you do!

2. Isildur - 3441 Second Age-2 Third Age (premature death). Isildur was the eldest son of Elendil, and like his father, was born in Númenor before it fell. His brother was Anárion, and after their exile to the west of Middle Earth, the brothers were given rule of Gondor by their father. It was Isildur who planted a seed from the White Tree of Avallon in Minas Ithil (the Tower of the Moon), which later became known as Minas Morgul after Minas Ithil was conquered by Sauron in 3429 of the Second Age. Isildur and his family escaped and fled north to Elendil, bearing a seedling of the White Tree that he had planted in Minas Ithil. After the overthrow of Sauron in 3441, and the death of his brother Anárion the year before, Isildur gives Gondor to Anárion's son Meneldil, and replants this last seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor (Tower of the Setting Sun, renamed Minas Tirith). Intending to return north to assume the rule of Arnor, Isildur and his three oldest sons are slain by orcs in the Gladden Fields, and the Ring is lost. Before being overrun, Isildur commanded one of his squires, Ohtar, to flee with the shards of Narsil to Rivendell so the heirlooms of the house of Elendil would survive.

But hold on - if you search Annúminas, you will eventually discover - there is no tomb for Isildur. He is the only one of the Kings of Arnor who has no tomb here in LOTRO. Why is this? Elendil got one - and a nice big one, too - even though his remains were never brought here. Possibly because the remains of Isildur were never recovered? Possibly because his heirs were extremely cheezed about him losing the One Ring? Your guess here is as good as mine!

Haudh Valandil

3. Valandil - 10-249 Third Age - Valandil was born in year 3430 of the Second Age in Imladris, the fourth and youngest son of Isildur. His father and three older brothers were killed in the Gladden Fields when Valandil was 11 years of age. He did not, however, assume the kingship until the year 10 of the Third Age (his father died in either Year 1 or Year 2; The Peoples of Middle Earth vs. Appendix A of the Lord of the Rings give contradictory dates). After his death in 249 of the Third Age, Valandil was buried in Annúminas. His tomb is actually in the center of the city, instead of being out east of town in Men Erain. I do not know the reason for this - possibly the dwindling people of Annúminas were happy to finally have the physical remains of a king to bury? It is a lavish tomb, and also the setting of what is an extremely challenging instance for level 50 characters. His history of losing his father and brothers at such a young age may make you feel a bit guilty that, due to some nasty sorcerers who bring him back from the dead as a Wight, you have to go smack him down in this instance. I'm sure he would have wanted it that way.

4. Eldacar - 249-339 Third Age

5. Arantar - 339-435 Third Age

6. Tarcil - 435-515 Third Age

7. Tarondor - 515-602 Third Age

Haudh Valandur

8. Valandur - 602-652 Third Age (premature death) - Like several of his predecessors, we know virtually nothing about Valandur, except that he was slain at the relatively young age of 190, after ruling Arnor for only 50 years. Players who had been around both before and after the Evendim revamp know that the tomb of this short-reigning king was turned into kergrim central. Two quests take us into the tomb to kill a number of kergrim and to recover what would have been Valandur's sceptre from the chief kergrim, Bone Eater. It is also a wonderful place to grind out the kergrim slayer deeds in Evendim, due to the very fast respawn rate - by the time you get to the bottom and kill the last kergrim, the first ones are ready to pop right back up.

9. Elendur - 652-777 Third Age

Haudh Eärendur

10. Eärendur - 777-861 Eärendur has the dubious distinction to be the last king of Arnor. Upon his death Arnor was divided into the three smaller independent kingdoms of Arthedain, Rhudaur, and Cardolan, which I have discussed in other articles elsewhere.

What strikes me is how much smaller and considerably less lavish the tombs of the later kings became. Possibly that may be due in part to them not taking part in such great deeds as their earlier sires. But it more likely reflects that even as soon as the Disaster of the Gladden Fields, the Men of Westernesse began to dwindle, as stated by Elrond in The Fellowship of the Ring. Eventually the heirs of Valandil abandoned Annúminas and shifted the ruling seat to Fornost, leaving behind a glorious city that would fall into ruin.

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring, Appendix A, The Lord of the Rings; The History of Middle Earth (Volume XII: The Peoples of Middle Earth, The Heirs of Elendil); Unfinished Tales

Valentine's in Lorien - Cerin Amroth

2012-02-13T13:30:00.000-06:00

Woe to the Elf in LOTRO who told his beloved he'd meet her at Cerin Amroth - possibly the most romantic spot in all of Lothlórien if not all of Middle Earth - on Valentine's Day February 14, but who is doomed to arrive a day late. For every day on Cerin Amroth is February 15.

Visitors to Cerin Amroth are even reminded of this fact each time they run up the hill - large white text appears to tell you, "Cerin Amroth - February 15th." So what is so significant about that date? What is the history of Cerin Amroth?

Cerin Amroth, February 15th

In the Lord of the Rings, it is the day before the company, now led by Aragorn, takes leave of Lórien. It is also the day after Frodo and Sam look into the Mirror of Galadriel, and the day after Gandalf "returns to life." If you climb to the top of the flet on Cerin Amroth, you find Gimli and Legolas are there;we encounter other members of the Fellowship scattered throughout Lórien. This is the game's way of giving us a reference point in the storyline of the Fellowship, explaining why things are the way they are at this point in time when we as LOTRO time travellers visit Lórien.

Cerin Amroth is named after Amroth, a ruler of Lothlórien. We hear mention of the ill-fated tale of Amroth and Nimrodel in the Fellowship of the Ring, when Legolas sings of them soon after they arrive in Lothlórien. Amroth is represented as a son of Celeborn and Galadriel in some of Tolkien's writings (Unfinished Tales), but this was ultimately rejected and in other writings is shown as the son of a prior ruler of Lothlórien named Amdír (Familiar name, huh? But of course a totally different character!). This version states that Amdír perished in the war of the Last Alliance and Amroth then took over rule of Lórien after him. At any rate, Amroth, though King of Lothlórien (Silvan Elves), was Sindar (not an uncommon practice, referred to as "Sindarizing," such as Thranduil, who is also Sindar, being King of the Woodland Realm and ruling over a bunch of Silvan elves and likewise Celeborn, also Sindar; Galadriel was of the Noldor)

Amroth fell in love with the Silvan maiden Nimrodel (just like the river she sat beside). Accounts of Nimrodel make her sound rather like a Xenophobe to me - she was not open to outsiders coming to Lórien, such as the Sindar, because they were all trouble makers. She insisted on speaking only her own Silvan language even after it was fallen into disuse in Lórien. And once those dirty Dwarves stirred up trouble in Moria - well, there wasn't a suburb of Lórien remote enough for her. So she ran away to Fangorn, but wouldn't enter because the trees there seemed just a little tooooo...well, you know how trees like THOSE are. So Amroth had to go save her superior self, at which point she promised to marry him if he would take her away from all the ragtag beginning to clutter Middle Earth. They agreed to head south to the refuge of Edhellond, south of Gondor on the Bay of Belfalas. Somehow they managed to get separated, and Amroth and his company got there but Nimrodel did not. The remaining Sindar Elves that Amroth had hoped to sail with did grudgingly cooperate a bit and waited a while (only Eru knows why) until nature took the matter out of their hands and blew the ship out to sea during a spectacular storm. Amroth couldn't bear it, jumped ship, and was never seen again. You would expect an Elf, so wise and valiant a ruler as he is described and who has been around a few thousand years, would have a bit more sense. As for Nimrodel, no one ever saw her again either.

A day late, but don't jump!

But wait, I'm getting away from the "romance" of Cerin Amroth. Cerin Amroth is also a very important place in the lore of Aragorn and Arwen. When Aragorn was 49, he passed through Lothlórien on the way back to Rivendell, not knowing Arwen was there. This was after any romance between the two of them had been strongly discouraged by Elrond. When Arwen saw Aragorn in Caras Galadhon, "her choice was made and her doom appointed."

"Then for a season they wandered together in the glades of Lothlórien, until it was time for him to depart. And on the evening of Midsummer, Aragorn Arathorn's son, and Arwen daughter of Elrond went to the fair hill, Cerin Amroth, in the midst of the land, and they walked about unshod on the undying grass with elandor and niphredil about their feet. And there upon that hill they looked east to the Shadow and west to the Twilight, and they plighted their troth and were glad."

Elrond, though he loved Aragorn, was not fond of her decision, and refused to let them marry until and unless Aragorn assumed his right to the throne of Arnor and Gondor, saying that he would not permit Arwen to abandon her immortality for anything less. When we see Aragorn and the Fellowship spending time on Cerin Amorth during their brief stay in Lothlórien, we see him reliving the memories of their betrothal and undoubtedly wondering what the future holds, if he will be able to win that to which he is rightful heir and win Arwen as a result.

In the Lord of the Rings, we see that Aragorn never returned to Cerin Amroth. In LOTRO, you will see a quest in Lórien that hints at his refusal to go back to Cerin Amroth until his "long road is ended." And as a neat addition, we see Issuriel in one of the Volume II, Book 9 Epilogues sending you off to Bróin in Moria with a blossom of elanor.

So maybe Cerin Amroth is not the most romantic spot in all of Middle Earth. Maybe it is sort of a depressing spot good only for remembering past moments and worrying about the future - just like anyone doomed to always arrive there on February 15 in LOTRO!

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring; Appendix B, Appendix F of the Lord of the Rings; Unfinished Tales

Bearded Hobbits in Enedwaith - The Stoors

2012-02-05T11:18:00.000-06:00

Questers in Enedwaith may choose to wander around the Gloomglens, coming across various points of interest such as a Hobbit-bow, Hobbit-arrow, even a Hobbit-skeleton - all are part of the location quest called Little Wonders, and once completed will grant 10 Turbine Points as well as a small furniture housing item, Stoor Boots. They're tiny and certainly don't take up much room, but are a great addition to any household.

Stoor Boots in a Dwarf Home

Wait a minute - Hobbit boots?!?!

Precisely. Because the Hobbits we encounter in Enedwaith are Stoors, and that means many of our typical Hobbit stereotypes go out the window.

I already discussed a bit about the three varieties of Hobbits in A Hobbit Boating Adventure, particularly what qualities are exemplified by the Fallohides. The Stoors are a bit different.

The wearing of boots is a quality shared by many of the Hobbits in the Eastfarthing, back in The Shire, particularly around the area of the Marish (where Farmer Maggot lives). The prologue Concerning Hobbits tells us these Hobbits wore boots in muddy weather, and that many had "down" growing on their chins, unlike any Fallohide or Harfoot. Many of the residents of this area indeed have Stoor blood, and their ancestors came into The Shire and Buckland later than other Hobbits, arriving "from south-away," bringing some strange customs, names, and words. The building of farmhouses and barns was said to originate with these Hobbits as well. Physically, Stoors are described as being "broader, heavier in build; their feet and hands were larger, and they preferred flat lands and riversides."

Hobbit legends tell of the time preceding their Wandering Days, long before they came west to Bree-land and The Shire, when they dwelt along the upper Anduin "between the eaves of Greenwood the Great and the Misty Mountains." After many other Hobbits chose to cross the Misty Mountains, when Men began to increase in numbers and a darkness descended on Mirkwood, the Stoors lingered behind along the banks of the Anduin. When they finally began to move west, they followed the course of the River Loudwater (the Bruinen), with some settling in the Angle - the triangle in the southwestern Trollshaws formed by the meeting of the Bruinen and the River Hoarwell. Still others continued south, settling between the deserted city of Tharbad and the borders of Dunland.

Boots and a beard - gotta be a Stoor.

Linguistically, Hobbits seem to have adopted the languages of Men near where they happened to be settled at a given point. This was seen in the Hobbits who moved into Bree-land adopting the Common Speech. Before coming west, however, it appears that the Hobbits who lived along the Anduin spoke another variation of a Mannish language that was said to be akin to the language of the Rohirrim. The southernmost Stoors were said to have adopted a language related to Dunlendish. Interestingly, the Stoors who lived in the Angle in the Trollshaws before returning to Wilderland "had already adopted the Common Speech, but Déagol and Sméagol are names in the Mannish language of the region near the Gladden." Even the word "Hobbit" is believed to be derived from a word of the Rohirrim, "holbytla," meaning hole-dweller.

Talk about two infamous Stoors. But all peoples have some they'd like to disown, right?

At any rate, after hearing a lot of surprise from individuals when Enedwaith first came out and they would stumble upon these curious bearded and booted Hobbits who would make them do strange things like pick up pig poo, it became apparent that possibly many players were not aware of the rich history that this little remnant of Hobbits who had stayed behind in Enedwaith were based on. Next time you are in Enedwaith, stop by and give 'em a hand with their fertilizer endeavours. They'll give you a special reward if you help often enough!

Sources: Concerning Hobbits, The Fellowship of the Ring; Appendix B & Appendix F, The Lord of the Rings

The History of Rhudaur in LOTRO

2012-02-01T16:51:00.000-06:00

One of the reasons Middle Earth feels so very real is because Professor Tolkien created a rich and expansive history that spans eons from the time of creation until the War of the Rings and even after. One can study the history of Middle Earth like studying the history of a country or region or people in real life.

Turbine could have chosen to take a much easier and simplistic path when designing LOTRO - after all, many (if not the majority of) players only know Middle Earth through the Lord of the Rings, or have only seen the movies, or may just have decided to check out the game with no prior exposure to Middle Earth. The history and much of the Lore that isn't directly related to the War of the Ring and the paths of the members of the Fellowship is often lost or overlooked, and the game can technically be played just fine without knowing any of it.

But what a dull and bland place the Middle Earth of LOTRO would have been. And this blog would probably have had no reason to exist.

Even working within the constraints of the current licensing agreements that exist, and which dictate what Turbine can and cannot incorporate into the game, Turbine has been able to weave much of that expansive history throughout the Middle Earth we all play in.

You have already seen me touch on some of the history of Arnor, one of the realms of the exiled Numenoreans, in my blogs on Ost Barandor as well as Weathertop and the Weather Hills.

Arnor was divided into three separate kingdoms - Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur - in year 861 of the Third Age when dissent arose among the three sons of King Eärendur.

Rhudaur was the easternmost kingdom and "lay between the Ettenmoors, the Weather Hills, and the Misty Mountains, but included also the Angle between the Hoarwell and the Loudwater." In LOTRO, this would include the Trollshaws as well as much of the Lone Lands.

Hillmen of Rhudaur

Appendix A tells us that the line of Isildur ended relatively soon in Rhudaur and that the numbers of Dúnedain there were few. Because of this, power was eventually seized by a leader of Hillmen of Rhudaur, who was secretly allied with the Witch King and Angmar. In 1409 of the Third Age, the forces of Cardolan and Arthedain were besieged by Angmar and Rhudaur at Weathertop, and Amon Sûl was burned. The few Dúnedain who had remained in Rhudaur fled or were killed, and the realm came entirely under the sway of Angmar. Later the Witch King is driven back to the north out of Fornost in 1975, and presumably severed direct ties with Rhudaur. Rhudaur can also be believed to have suffered many casualties in the Great Plague of 1636, leaving much of the Lone Lands desolate and the Trollshaws abandoned to trolls and any remaining nasties left behind by Angmar, along with a handful of Hillmen.

In LOTRO, the history of Rhudaur can be found throughout the Lone Lands and Trollshaws, even in the Misty Mountains. You see it in the names of items, such as the Signets of Rhudaur, or in the names of some quests like "Rhudaur's Traitors." You can even earn a title, "Sage of Rhudaur," from doing a quest in Angmar.

A particularly good example is the area around Agamaur and the Red Swamp , filled to the brim with Hillmen of Rhudaur, some remaining Angmarim, and gaunt-men and wights that were introduced to the area long ago by the Witch King. This is a great example of how Turbine can pick up threads of Middle Earth lore and create their own tapestries of story within LOTRO.

Here we have a remnant of the legions of Rhudaur who are still very active, faithfully protecting and serving the center of all of the evil in this part of the Lone Lands - the Red Maid. As it so happens, the Red Maid is Naruhel - in LOTRO, the sister of Goldberry, mate of Tom Bombadil.

Naruhel - The Red Maid

If you travel into Garth Agarwen, you meet the shade of an Arthedain oathbreaker, Dannasen. He mentions the wars between Rhudaur and Arthedain when Rhudaur had fallen under the sway of the Witch King. He describes how the Hillmen of Rhudaur "made sacrifices to him and defiled the land until the waters themselves seemed as blood." (Quest: Long Overdue Justice) Dannasen and his fellow shades were warriors of the Arthedain who had been tasked to deal with Rhudaur and particularly to keep the Red Maid from becoming too powerful. These warriors of Arthedain were cursed by Iarwain Ben-adar (none other than Tom Bombadil) for not doing enough to keep matters under control. (Quest: Arthedain's Lost Brethren) Volume I, Book 2 as well as several quests picked up within Garth Agarwen will permit you to help resolve this pesky remnant of the evil of Rhudaur, and bring redemption to some heroes of Arthedain.

Sources: Appendix A, The Lord of the Rings

The Ghost in the Bay of Forochel

2012-01-30T13:21:00.000-06:00

The Seamonster in the Bay of Forochel

Volume I, Book 13 of the Epic line takes us to Forochel, and intertwines itself with a lesser-known but very important part of historical Lore.

I briefly mention the overthrow of the Kingdom of Arthedain and Fornost being overrun by Angmar in 1974 of the Third Age in another article. Arvedui, who was king at the time, fled north after all was lost at Fornost and spent months trying to survive with a small remainder of his men in the dwarf-mines at the far end of the Blue Mountains. Hunger drove them to seek help from the Lossoth - a people not of the Edain and quite different from the culture and customs of the Men of Númenor, such as Arvedui and his men - and who were just as isolated and wary of outsiders as LOTRO represents them. But as anyone who has quested in Forochel knows, the Lossoth can be friendly - gradually. In the Lore, they eventually decided to aid Arvedui and his men (in part due to pity for his gaunt condition, hence we see Saija in Book 13 referring to him as the Gaunt King - this shouldn't be confused with the Gaunt Lords we see elsewhere). The Lossoth built huts of snow for the refugees from Fornost to help them survive the rest of the harsh winter.

The Last King of Arthedain

When Círdan the Shipwright learned that Arvedui had fled from Fornost to the north, he sent a ship from the Grey Havens to Forochel. When the ship arrived, the Lossoth warned Arvedui not to mount upon this "seamonster" and instead have the crew give them provisions to help them survive the rest of the winter. But Arvedui did not follow their counsel. As the ship attempted to sail from the Bay of Forochel, strong winds from the north drove it back onto the ice (the Lossoth believed the Witch King of Angmar could control the winter weather), causing the hull to rupture and the ship to sink, killing all on board, including Arvedui. Along with Arvedui and the others on board the ship, two palantíri were supposedly lost forever in the Bay of Forochel as well - the palantír from Annuminas and the palantír from Amon Sûl.

The name Arvedui translates as "Last King," something that was prophesied at his birth by Malbeth the Seer: "Arvedui you shall call him, for he will be the last in Arthedain. Though a choice will come to the Dúnedain, and if they take the one that seems less hopeful, then your son will change his name and become king of a great realm. If not, then much sorrow and many lives of men shall pass, until the Dúnedain arise and are united again." And we all know what choice the Dúnedain of the south made.

Before becoming king of Arthedain, Arvedui had sought the throne of Gondor in year 1944 when the last king of Gondor and his sons were defeated. He argued to the Dúnedain of the south that as a direct heir of Elendil, who was initially High King of both Arnor and Gondor before they were given to his sons Isildur and Anarion, that he was in line to assume the kingship. He had also married Firiel, daughter of the last King of Gondor and only surviving child of the king. According to the ancient rules of Númenor, rule could indeed be passed from father to daughter, but this law was not followed in Gondor, and Arvedui's claim was rejected, thereby leading to the route of "sorrow" as prophesied.

Fortunately for all of us, the son of Arvedui, Aranarth, had survived before the decimation of Fornost. After the death of his father, the Last King, Aranarth became the first Chieftain of the Dúnedain and ancestor to Aragorn. If you follow the many chapters of Book 13 to the end, you will be able to bring tidings to Aragorn of the his ill-fated ancestor.

Sources: Appendix A: The Lord of the Rings

Cracked Eggs: Moor Cowbell!

2012-01-28T19:42:00.001-06:00

Read here to learn more about the Cracked Eggs series.

I got a Middle Earth fever.

And the only prescription?.....

Moor Cowbell!

There's probably not a lot I need to say about this one lol. If you happen to not have heard the Moor Cowbell in-game, you are most definitely missing out. It's got the rhythm, it's got the mooooves, and it will make you shout for Moor! I just need a Christopher Walken look-alike. Thank you, Saturday Night Live!

Huge thanks to Council of Eriador kin member, Rhaknor. Il est un chasseur extraordinaire! I just wish I could make videos. ;)

The Moor Cowbell is a rare world drop, but don't fear - you can also obtain one from the Curiosities vendor in any skirmish camp. Once you obtain one, you still have to learn to play it. The old-fashioned way for non-minstrel classes used to be learning it from a Minstrel who could Mentor you on the Moor Cowbell skills (and any Minstrel who had any sense might refuse!). Non-Minis are now able to barter a Manual from the Curiosities vendor to enable them to play. If you are not familiar with playing music in LOTRO, there is a good basic guide on LOTRO-Wiki. If you would like to play composed songs, you can then find songs to play on sites like The Fat Lute.

Gollum's Nassssty Diet

2012-01-28T10:30:00.000-06:00

Our first chance to cross paths with Gollum (and most definitely this, as much of my blog, will be a spoiler for those who have not done this yet, so read at your own risk!) comes in the Trollshaws, at a lonely cottage on the shore of the Bruinen. A fisherman, Garbert, and his wife Afanen live here with a new baby. The night before you meet them, they experience something that would horrify any parent. It is part of the questline "The Skulking Creature," and even the title of this particular quest is creepy and full of foreboding: "The Open Window."

Thank you to LOTRO-Wiki for the dialogue, as I don't currently have a toon at the right level who has not already done this questline. Afanen tells us:

Inspecting the window Gollum snuck through.

"Last night, just after dark, we had snuffed out the candles, locked the door, and we were just getting into bed, when I thought I heard something moving around in little Whelan's room. Whelan is just a baby, so you can understand my worry: I thought a bird might have flown into his room through the window, which we always leave open a crack so the breeze can come in, and I did not want him to be frightened. But when I went into his room to check on him, I saw that it was not a bird at all, but a monster: a terrible creeping thing hunched over bony legs! It was moving towards Whelan's cradle, and making a terrible noise from his throat. Its intent was clear -- it meant to harm my baby! I let forth a cry such as you have never heard, and sprang towards it; I do not know what I thought to do, but the thing sprang out the window through which it had crawled, vanishing into the night. Little Whelan is fine, but what if that thing comes back? That is why Garbert has not collected his catch, and that is why we will not leave the house! Speak to my husband if you like, but you will not change his mind!"

This isn't just Turbine being sensationalistically and darkly suggestive. It too is straight from the Lore. Way back at the start of The Fellowship of the Ring, when Gandalf is telling Frodo the latest news of Gollum in the chapter, "The Shadow of the Past," he talks of the search of the Elves of Mirkwood to locate him:

"The wood was full of the rumour of him, dreadful tales even among beasts and birds. The Woodmen said that there was some new terror abroad, a ghost that drank blood. It climbed trees to find nests; it crept into holes to find the young; it slipped through windows to find cradles."

Not to put too fine a point on it, Gollum was planning to make a dinner snack of Garbert and Afanen's young baby, but thanks to the fast attentions of this NPC mom, he was foiled. This time.

To be fair, we also need to note that in the timeline in Appendix B, in August of 3018 it is stated that, "All trace of Gollum is lost. It is thought that at about this time, being hunted by both the Elves and Sauron's servants, he took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the West-gate he could not get out." Since this leaves room for some uncertainty about the whereabouts of Gollum that fall, this gives Turbine the wiggle-room needed to place him skulking around the Trollshaws. And very, very hungry.

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring, Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings

The Ninth Horse of the Nazgûl

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

Volume I, Book 4 of the Epic storyline deals with Rivendell trying to figure out what happened to the Nazgûl following the flood of waters as Frodo was pursued at the Ford of Bruinen. As I can't say often enough, if you are the sort to skip your Epic books, please go back and do them all!

Book 4 provides a nice creative opportunity for Tubrine to conjecture what became of one particular Nazgûl and his mount. While the fate is never discovered in the trilogy, the entirety of Book 4 is built on a very real excerpt from The Fellowship of the Ring.

Following the arrival of Aragorn and the Hobbits in Rivendell, as well as guests from other realms such as Legolas from Mirkwood, Glóin and Gimli from the Lonely Mountain, Galdor from the Grey Havens sent by Círdan the Shipwright, and Boromir from Gondor, the Council of Elrond is held so that all key players can share their stories - regarding the Ring, regarding Gollum, regarding Saruman and what is happening in the other realms. Many stories are told, and much discussion is held, until at the end Frodo offers to carry the Ring, although he does not know the way.

Elrond then sends scouts out to various parts of Middle Earth, some to contact friends in other places, others to scour the land and gather what information they can before the party of the Ring sets forth. One piece of intelligence that is brought back has to do with the fate of the Nazgûl and their mounts:

"Three of the black horses had been found at once drowned in the flooded Ford. On the rocks of the rapids below it searchers discovered the bodies of five more, and also a long black cloak, slashed and tattered. Of the Black Riders no other trace was to be seen, and nowhere was their presence to be felt. It seemed that they had vanished from the North. 'Eight out of the Nine are accounted for at least,' said Gandlaf. 'It is rash to be too sure, yet I think that we may hope now that the Ringwraiths were scattered, and have been obliged to return as best they could to their Master in Mordor, empty and shapeless.' "

From this bit of Lore mystery - one missing mount, one found cloak - Turbine is able to weave a story about what just might have happened to that Nazgûl and his mount. Poor horsey. To learn that story, be sure to do Volume I, Book 4 or revisit it in a Reflecting Pool if it has been a long time.

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring

Bert, Tom, and Bill

2012-01-24T12:05:00.001-06:00

Almost every player who has made it as far as the Trollshaws has come across Bilbo's Trolls - Bert, Tom, and Bill - at some point. And most of us can remember how wonderful it was to discover such an iconic part of the Lore that ties us to both the Fellowship of the Ring and The Hobbit. Right down to Bill still stooping over where the dawn caught him, to the bird's nest behind the ear of one of the others, they were such a treat to encounter.

One point of Lore that you don't often hear people mention, however, is the cave that the three trolls were using. For it is indeed there, back up the path that heads northwest away from the three (and in the direction that the big boy, Dhit, paths for the bounty runs).

"They followed the tracks up the hill, until hidden by bushes they came on a big door of stone leading to a cave. But they could not open it, not though they all pushed while Gandalf tried various incantations. 'Would this by any good?' asked Bilbo, when they were getting tired and angry. 'I found it on the ground where the trolls had their fight.' He held out a largish key, though no doubt William had thought it very small and secret. It must have fallen out of his pocket, very luckily, before he was turned to stone.

'Why on earth didn't you mention it before?' they cried. Gandalf grabbed it and fitted it into the key-hole. Then the stone door swung back with one big push, and they all went inside. There were bones on the floor and a nasty smell was in the air; but there was a good deal of food jumbled carelessly on shelves and on the ground, among an untidy litter of plunder, of all sorts from brass buttons to pots full of gold coins standing in a corner."

Among the treasure in this locked cave were various swords of all sizes and makes. "Two caught their eyes particularly, because of their beautiful scabbards and jewelled hilts. Gandalf and Thorin each took one of these; and Bilbo took a knife in a leather sheath." Hello Glamdring, Orcrist, and Sting.

The cave in LOTRO is unfortunately once again locked. There does, however, remain one more bit of Lore attached to the three trolls which I have been unable to locate in the game, if it does even exist. That is the spot where the company hid the treasure they took from the cave.

"Then they brought up their ponies, and carried away the pots of gold, and buried them very secretly not far from the rack by the river, putting a great many spells over them, just in case they ever had the chance to come back and recover them."

Late in The Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn and the Hobbits pass this spot after finding the trolls. "After a few miles they came out on the top of a high bank above the Road. At this point the Road had left the Hoarwell far behind in its narrow valley, and now clung close to the feet of the hills, rolling and winding eastward among woods and heather-covered slopes towards the Ford and the Mountains. Not far down the bank Strider pointed out a stone in the grass. On it roughly cut and now much weathered could still be seen dwarf-runes and secret marks."

The terrain in the Trollshaws of LOTRO does of course differ from how it appears in the books - the place where the trolls were camped seems as if it should have been much closer to the River Hoarwell - so it is difficult to guess precisely where the treasure could potentially have been placed by the company. With so many other wonderful Lore nuggets, I would be surprised if that bit was left out, but perhaps it was. If anyone has ever come across the place where the company left their treasure, please let me know!

Sources: The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring

Hope in Middle Earth

2012-01-23T11:16:00.000-06:00

"In the darkest of times, even the faintest glimmer of hope can make all the difference."

So the Edhelharn tokens tell us. (Edhelharn is Sindarin for "Elfstone.")

Hope really is found throughout Middle Earth, although the times are extremely dark. In LOTRO, Hope is a good thing to have - it increases our morale, boosts the damage we do, makes healing easier. Aside from the normal ways of increasing Hope - Edhelharn tokens, Horn of the Dwarrowdelf, Destiny Points, etc. - many places and NPC's around Middle Earth radiate an aura of Hope.

Leeowyn is feeling pretty hopeful.

Places like The Shire (+3) or Rivendell (+5) give a Hope buff just by being within their bounds. A number of individuals radiate Hope as well: Tom Bombadil (+8), Elladan and Elrohir (+4). You can run around and visit all of the main storyline NPC's in Rivendell and see how much each gives: Bilbo (+2), around Sam, Merry, and Pippin you receive +3, Arwen (+4), Legolas and Gimli (+5), Aragorn and Boromir (+8, and I find Boromir's level of Hope very interesting, although remember at what point in the story he is while in Rivendell - the Ring hasn't had a chance to work on him yet), Gandalf and Elrond are both +9. Interestingly when you enter the House of Elrond, your Rivendell Hope aura drops, and you are at 0 until you get near one of the NPC's. Outside the House of Elrond, Glorfindel gives the highest individual Hope buff that I am aware of: +10. Standing near him your total is then +15 since the Hope aura of Rivendell is added to it.

If you have never noticed it before, go stand beside Frodo inside the House of Elrond. You'll see Gandalf's +9 Hope buff, but you will also see an icon for +1 Dread - it is coming off the Ring, of course.

As I was re-reading The Fellowship of the Ring the other day, I came across a simple couple of sentences that jumped out at me, and immediately made me think of all the places and characters who boost Hope. I don't know that this passage specifically played a part in the creation of Hope (and Dread) in Middle Earth, but it most definitely gives some Lore credence to that mechanism in the game:

"Indeed there is a power in Rivendell to withstand the might of Mordor, for a while: and elsewhere other powers still dwell. There is power, too, of another kind in the Shire."

The Hope stat gives us a good way to remember the positive power of those places and characters, and gives us a little extra boost to help see us through the task at hand.

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring

Cracked Eggs: A Retired Swedish Dwarf Cuisinier?

2012-01-20T23:26:00.000-06:00

Read here for more information on the Cracked Eggs series!

For this Cracked Egg I have to give complete credit to Maliki, dps Mini, scourge of the Ettenmoors, and Council of Eriador leader extraordinaire. Mal has been playing LOTRO since the end of closed beta - almost 5 years exactly! Despite a strong aversion to Hobbits, the man knows this game very well.

When I invited kin members to send me ideas to include in my blog, Maliki told me to check out the chef, Bork, in the Free People's Camp at Fornost. Get it? Chef? Bork? Bork Bork Bork?

I rode to the camp. I saw Bork. He was a Healer and Provisioner. He didn't try to cook me a single thing. I thought, "hmmmm...."

I asked Maliki if he was sure about this little Easter egg. He assured me he was, and that way back when, the NPC Bork was a cook, and that it was his favorite Easter egg in the game. I arched my eyebrow dubiously (he couldn't see me, after all) and then turned to Google.

And then found an entry on Allakazam that referenced Bork as a "Novice Cook." ORLY?

Mal kindly refrained from saying, "I told you so," and said at some point the designation of the NPC had been changed, he just didn't remember when or ever knew why.

After digging some more, I found the Release Notes that mentioned precisely that:

"Bork zee Cuuk" ves nefer a cuuk und zeereffure-a, hees ooccoopeshunel teetle-a hes chunged tu "Heeler & Prufeesiuner. Hurty flurty schnipp schnipp!" (Translated from Swedish Chef: "Bork the Cook" was never a cook and therefore, his occupational title has changed to "Healer & Provisioner.")

I would never have known about this Easter egg, and am betting many of my readers would not also, if not for the impressive memory of my kin leader. Thank you Maliki!

But Turbine - why unBork the Bork?!? This should also fall into the Uncandled Eggs category - another mystery!

McFarlane scolds Bork for changing careers.

The Old Forest

2012-01-20T20:00:00.000-06:00

There is so much Lore to be found in the Old Forest, the subject could be broken up into several smaller posts. But I like the flow of including everything in a single post, it feels as if we are immersing ourselves in the Old Forest right along with Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin as they entered through the west gate.

The entrance itself is almost perfectly true to the story. Entering from Buckland, we see the well-tended Hedge stretching from north to south, protecting the settlements from any encroachment from the Forest. "A cutting had been made, at some distance from the Hedge, and went sloping gently down into the ground. It had walls of brick at the sides, which rose steadily, until suddenly they arched over and formed a tunnel that dived deep under the Hedge and came out in the hollow on the other side." As we pass through that tunnel and gate, the whole atmosphere becomes dark, brooding, and oppressive.

Once inside, we see that the trees do not crowd the Hedge, and find a long strip of bare land between it and the edge of the Forest, much as Merry described when telling of how the trees once attacked the Hedge long ago, when the Bucklanders then cut down and burned that strip to drive them back. A path leads deeper in to a nearby clearing - the Bonfire Glade, the "wide bare space not far inside where the bonfire was made."

Traveling east and a little north beyond the Bonfire Glade, the ground begins to rise gradually in the direction the Hobbits were heading as they tried to find a way through the forest. In The Fellowship of the Ring, the Hobbits work through the twisting and seemingly shifting paths and spot higher ground in the distance: "Before them, but some distance off, there stood a green hill-top, treeless, rising like a bald head out of the encircling wood." From this hill, they can see the edge of the Forest and the start of the Barrow Downs farther to the east. In the game, I don't think it is unreasonable to assume this is Bald Hill, just beyond the Bonfire Glade.

As the Hobbits try to continue forward, they are driven against their will to the east and south, toward the valley of the River Withywindle, which they had hoped to avoid. Avoiding it was a great if hopeless idea, as it is here they encounter Old Man Willow. Turbine represents him well, from his mouth-like crack to the effects of Drowsiness, Lethargy, and Sap Power, which reduces your movement speed and drains you of all power when in his vicinity. Level 75's are not immune to this! But woe unto the lower level toons who must battle with Old Man Willow's roots - no power means no dps, and the slower movement means you have a very good chance of falling victim to his crafty wooden wiles.

Fortunately you can still move, if you're still alive, and the river leads you back in the north easterly direction. If you were so unfortunate to be defeated and have to release, there's a handy rez circle not far away which takes you to one of the most wonderful places in Middle Earth. Near the rez circle, toward the eastern side of the Old Forest, sits the house of Tom Bombadil. The Hobbits were fortunate to be rescued by Tom and taken back to his house - in the game, we must either travel there of our own accord, or be rezzed there. Ultimately, getting there is all that matters.

Tom Bombadil - he's merry, his jacket is bright blue, his boots yellow. Check, check, and check. Take note of your stats when you stand next to him, if you can get him to stand still long enough. +8 Hope from being in Tom's aura. And he is still very good at saving hapless noobs. If you are one of those people who don't like running the Epic Book series, please go do Othrongroth if you've never done so. Please.

The first thing that struck me upon entering the house of Tom Bombadil was the tableau opposite the door. "In a chair, at the far side of the room facing the outer door, sat a woman.... About her feet in wide vessels of green and brown earthenware, white water-lilies were floating, so that she seemed to be enthroned in the midst of a pool." Of course what we also notice on entering is - no Goldberry. But her chair and bowls are there, awaiting her return, exactly as described.

Unfortunately we do not get to meet Goldberry in the house she shares with Tom, because in the game she is off in another part of the forest. There may be slight liberty taken here with the Lore of Goldberry. In The Fellowship of the Ring, it is stated by Tom that the Hobbits were fortunate to cross paths with him, as after that day he would not be venturing far out again until spring:

"And that proved well for you - for now I shall no longer
go down deep again along the forest-water,
not while the year is old. Nor shall I be passing
Old Man Willow's house this side of spring-time,
not till the merry spring, when the River-daughter
dances down the withy-path to bathe in the water."

His song could conceivably be interpreted to mean that Goldberry would normally be staying in as well; during the Hobbit's stay, she is undergoing her washing day and autumn cleaning, which seems to indicate settling in to rest through the coming winter. At the time the Hobbits visited Tom and Goldberry, it was late September, and we pass through the Old Forest in the game shortly after that time. However, in the game we find her off in the far northwest corner of the Forest by Goldberry's Spring. A little creative license? Maybe, maybe not, and who cares - because Goldberry is out and about, she introduces us to a wonderful deed full of Lore about none other than the Entwives.

Technically the Lore extends only as far as giving a nod to the Entwives. We ultimately do not know what happened to the mates of the Ents that we meet much farther along in the game. In the trilogy, their fate is left uncertain. Even Professor Tolkien himself purported to be uncertain of their fate, speculating in Letter 144:

"I think that in fact the Entwives had disappeared for good, being destroyed with their gardens in the War of the Last Alliance (Second Age 3429 – 3441) when Sauron pursued a scorched earth policy and burned their land against the advance of the Allies down the Anduin..."

But that bit of uncertainty gives Turbine room to imagine perhaps a slightly brighter fate for eight of the Entwives. Goldberry explains the deed titled "Flowers of the Old Forest:"

"Greetings, McFarlane. You have seen an unusual breed of flower that grows within the depths of the Old Forest? Their origins are most unusual.

As the old tale goes, eight Entwives came into this forest from the distant south many years ago and took shelter here beneath the boughs of the Old Forest. But darkness was everywhere in the lands in those times, and Tom thought it wise that the sisters should pass into the heart of the forest where no evil might reach.

The flowers I speak of mark the places where each of the Entwives disappeared into the weave of the forest, and it is possible to understand their nature in those places.

Only Tom knows when or if they will ever awaken from their slumber, and he will not tell even me!"

If you pursue this deed, once you locate a flower, you will be able to open your Deed Log and hover over the description for that flower. You will find that each of the flowers is named after an Entwife, each with special qualities of her own, and often a glimpse of her fate. I won't spoil these by posting the text - instead I strongly encourage you to complete the deed or, if you have already done it, to enter your Deed Log and read the description for each flower if you have never done so before. It is a touching and creative way in which Turbine could provide some hope for one of the great mysteries of Middle Earth.

Clearly the Old Forest does not lack in Lore, from the smallest details such as Goldberry's chair and bowls to the many twisting paths, moving trees and grasping roots, and the characters that we absolutely expect to meet such as Old Man Willow and Tom Bombadil. Many people dislike questing in the Old Forest - it certainly isn't easy at-level, it's dark and gloomy, and a bit of a maze though easy enough to maneuver once you get the hang of it, and good maps exist! - but it is so worth the time and such an important part of the Lore of Middle Earth. Don't miss out!

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring

Cracked Eggs: A Killer Coney

2012-01-20T17:00:00.000-06:00

Look here for an explanation of the Cracked Eggs series.

Deep in the heart of Enedwaith - a land full of terrors from Gaunt Lords to drakes and dragons and awful Shadow Wolves - lies an even greater terror that surpasses them all. It may be smaller in size, but its thirst for blood is insatiable.

It's the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog.

Wanderers in search of Ost Dunhoth will encounter this small white terror, properly guarding a nearby cave surrounded by destruction and pools of blood. Monty Python fans will recognize it immediately and will Run Awaaaaaaaay! I swear I didn't soil my armour the first time I saw him.

Don't let his 1 point of Morale fool you. I haven't come across a Holy Handgrenade of Arthedain yet, so until that time I'm giving him a wide berth.

Bravo Turbine for this fun bit of Pythonesque tribute.

Props to my Council of Eriador kinmate, Noodly, for bumping this Cracked Egg up on my list!

Uncandled Eggs - Mystery Wagon in the Lone Lands

2012-01-19T12:17:00.000-06:00

When questing in the Lone Lands near Ost Guruth, you will eventually be sent to clear out some orcs and wargs who have settled in to the ruins of Ost Cyrn, south of Ost Guruth. Just between the road and Ost Cyrn, you'll find a capsized wagon. Prior quests out of Iorvinas and Ost Guruth warn us that goblin attacks have been on the rise in the Lone Lands, so this wagon appears to have been one of countless casualties.

However, the appearance of this wagon grabbed my attention. It looks a little familiar, doesn't it? And if you move around to look at the back, you find a very round door - much like the wagons you see in Waymeet.

Is it possible a wagon of Hobbits could have been traveling through these lands far from The Shire and Bree-land? Not inconceivable - trade happened, even in those days of danger. I'm still very curious about this wagon. To the best of my knowledge, none of the quests in this area mention it specifically. If it is just meant to be a wreck by the side of the road, why not a cart? Why something that matches the Hobbit wagon homes in Waymeet?

At the very least, it piques the imagination. Anyone have an explanation?

Vagabond Hobbits in the Shire

2012-01-17T18:10:00.000-06:00

Just what exactly is the deal with the wagons in Waymeet?

And if you hear Cher start singing in your head every time you ride through here, you are most definitely not the only one.

One of the many, many things I enjoy about Professor Tolkien's writings is the attention he spends on cultural and social issues. This is woven throughout his writings on Middle Earth, in both broad and fine strokes. From the differences between the races of Middle Earth to the the social hierarchies among Hobbits, such as we see between even Sam and Frodo, these distinctions permeate life in Middle Earth and make the stories all the richer.

So what is the deal with Waymeet? Here we have Hobbits living in what seems to be a temporary and unsettled fashion (although we do have gardens and yards that obviously require some time and care), instead of living in a cozy hole or typical Hobbit-style house.

This seems to be the LOTRO version of Professor Tolkien's "tramps" of The Shire's socio-economic strata - "Some, doubtless, were no better than tramps, ready to dig a hole in any bank and stay only as long as it suited them."

We also see mention of the different socio-economic classes of Hobbits in the "Concerning Hobbits" prologue: "All Hobbits had originally lived in holes in the ground, or so they believed, and in such dwellings they still felt most at home; but in the course of time they had been obliged to adopt other forms of abode. Actually in The Shire in Bilbo's days it was, as a rule, only the richest and the poorest Hobbits that maintained the old custom. The poorest went on living in burrows of the most primitive kind, mere holes indeed, with only one window or none; while the well-to-do still constructed more luxurious versions of the simple diggings of old."

Perhaps it was too difficult or confusing to try to represent a Hobbit "tramp" hole in the game, and these colorful wagons were a compromise. The fact that they were added at all when in no way do they come close to being part of the essential and basic storyline attests to how well Turbine has included such seemingly irrelevant elements of lore. They do shout, "I'm here - for now! Where I'll be tomorrow, who knows!"

Even if this is a group of less prosperous Hobbits, they still face the same day-to-day concerns as everyone else - what dress to wear to a party, how those Minstrels can't be trusted. And I particularly enjoy the hospitality of their campfires when it is time to cook!

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Statue in Michel Delving

2012-01-17T18:00:00.000-06:00

I already briefly mentioned Marcho and Blanco in my post about the Hobbit archers at Fornost.

In the year 1601 of the Third Age, these Fallohide brothers left Bree and headed west. After receiving permission from the King of Arthedain at Fornost (King Argeleb II, according to records in Gondor), Marcho and Blanco and a great company of Hobbits were permitted to cross the Bridge of Stonebows that spanned the Baranduin, and settle all of the lands to the west between the river and the Far Downs. This of course became our beloved lands of The Shire. It also marked Year One in the Shire-reckoning.

I also mention the special qualities of the Fallohide strain of Hobbits in A Hobbit Boating Adventure. These brothers exemplify those Fallohide qualities.

The statue located in the center of Michel Delving, the chief township of The Shire, pays homage to these pioneer settlers of The Shire. Looks a bit like some Lewis and Clark representations, doesn't it?

Weathertop

2012-01-14T20:37:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the smallest touches can bring that warm fuzzy glow of recognition.

After Strider and the Hobbits set forth from Bree, and are stuck several days in the Midgewater Marshes, one night in camp they see flashing lights far off in the eastern sky. Eventually they come to Weathertop and the ruins of the old watchtower of Amon Sûl. Exactly as in the chapter "A Knife in the Dark" from The Fellowship of the Ring, we see the grass inside the crumbled ring is black and scorched as if set on fire. In the center is faithfully placed a cairn of stones. At the foot of the stones (and not on top, as in the book), we find a lighter, flat stone with what appears to be some etchings on it. Of course it is none other than the G Cirth, or Rune, left by Gandalf, followed by three hashes to suggest he was there on the 3rd of October, as Strider deduces.

If we wander around to the western side of Weathertop, we find the remains of a small camp with a spring nearby and, beyond some fallen rocks, stacks of firewood. This is none other than a perfect picture of the camp Strider and the Hobbits stumbled upon, which Strider believed was recently visited by Rangers (who left the firewood) as well as Gandalf.

"They had explored the small dell and the surrounding slopes. Not far away they found a spring of clear water in the hillside, and near it footprints not more than a day or two old. In the dell itself they found recent traces of a fire, and other signs of a hasty camp. There were some fallen rocks on the edge of the dell nearest to the hill. Behind them Sam came upon a small store of firewood neatly stacked."

Weathertop and the Weather Hills were crucial ground in the millenia before the time of the War of the Ring. It is said that Elendil stood here, watching for the Elven-king Gil-galad to come from the west, in the days of the Last Alliance at the end of the Second Age. After the Kingdom of Arnor had been split into three separate kingdoms in year 861 of the Third Age, the area was highly desired by all three. Not only did Weathertop command a wide view of the East Road and the lands around, but the tower of Amon Sûl contained one of the chief Palantir of the north. Unfortunately, over the centuries Rhudaur was falling under the sway of Angmar, and waged war against Arthedain and Cardolan. In the year 1409, Amon Sûl was burned and razed by a host from Angmar.

If Rhudaur sounds familiar from things you have seen in the game, there are very good reasons, particularly in this region. Signets of Rhudaur sound familiar to anyone? As should a series of quests in a nearby area...but that's a whole separate blog post!

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring and Appendix A: The Lord of the Rings

Frostbluff Theatre

2012-01-11T19:14:00.000-06:00

The last two Yule festivals brought an array of fun new activities to LOTRO. A very popular and unique place to visit has been the Frostbluff Theatre. Nowhere else can LOTRO players have the chance to formally perform (and critique!) for each other in such a manner. The plays put on by the G.L.O.B.E. (Green Lily Orators, Bards, and Entertainers) company and the chance to act in one or be an audience member are more than enough draw in and of themselves. But there's much more to this little theatre that we get to visit only once a year.

I have already mentioned how Turbine pays homage to one of their own characters in the Old Bloodtusk post.

The actual play we get to see and participate in, "The Curious Disappearance of Mad Baggins," carries much more subtle lore than might be seen at face value. It harks back to the strange events of several years ago, on the day of Bilbo's Eleventy-first birthday party. This is of course the day he disappeared, and did so in a very strange and mysterious manner that caused quite a stir in and beyond The Shire for years afterward.

Remember, this play is the interpretation of local Hobbits who have stayed behind in The Shire, with virtually no idea of the events relating to the War of the Ring or the implications for their own world. So we see the perspectives of the local Hobbits throughout the play. Party goers expect to receive gold and jewels as party gifts, because naturally Bilbo is swimming in them after his great Adventure.

The antagonists are the Evil Dwarf and Gandalf the Villain. Knowing all that we know, this is of course absurd. But the Dwarves who spirited Bilbo away on their "adventure" are viewed by the other Hobbits as suspicious and up to no good. The villainous Gandalf is their ringleader. Gandalf is credited with having an "evil plan" up his sleeve. The Evil Dwarf is described as "sour-looking," and their ultimate plan is to of course steal the great fortune that everyone believes Bilbo possesses. Frodo is viewed as a bit of a dupe, and Bilbo is quite mental, though still the hero of the story. Bilbo's disappearance is attributed to the two villains, the Dwarf and Gandalf, "doing away" with Bilbo and making off with his treasure.

The tendency for Hobbits to view outsiders with suspicion, including other Hobbits, and attribute less than noble motives to outsiders is found throughout The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Gandalf was generally held between distant respect for his skills with "fires, smokes, and lights" and some disdain for how he would lead innocent Hobbit lads and lasses "off into the Blue for mad adventures."

The books do reflect these growing attitudes toward Gandalf - in the time after Bilbo's disappearance, Gandalf returns to Bag End to speak to Frodo and admits that his reputation is in decline: "I find that I have become rather unpopular. They say I am a nuisance and a disturber of the peace. Some people are actually accusing me of spiriting Bilbo away, or worse. If you want to know, there is supposed to be a plot between you and me to get hold of his wealth." Although the local Hobbits believed Bilbo was mad (at the end of The Hobbit we are informed that upon his return to The Shire, he discovers he has lost his reputation) and odd, the blame for his disappearance was "mostly laid on Gandalf." As for Dwarves, it is stated that companies of Dwarves who passed through The Shire to and from the Blue Mountains were the chief source of outside news for Hobbits, yet as a rule Dwarves would say little to the Hobbits, and the Hobbits would not go out of their way to speak to the Dwarves. So the seemingly over-the-top play is actually quite representative of the attitudes and beliefs concerning Bilbo's disappearance and particularly Gandalf's role.

Another point of interest in the Frostbluff Theatre actually falls into my Cracked Egg category. If you sit and watch the play, you may notice in between performances that there are a couple of Hobbit critics up in a balcony overlooking the stage. These two sharp-witted gentleman are Waldo Tunnley and Statdor Proudfoot, who provide some entertaining commentary in between plays. Possibly something about their exchanges - the insulting comments, the thorough enjoyment of their own humor - sounds a bit familiar? Even the names sort of sound like...Waldorf and Statler, maybe?

By the way, if you look at the pictures hanging below Waldo and Statdor, look closely at the middle one. If you approach it, the image just blurs out, but from a distance it looks kinda familiar now, doesn't it? Now what would a bunch of Hobbits, who have presumably never traveled outside of The Shire, be doing with a painting of what most certainly looks to be Durin's Door, the western entrance into Moria?! Mysterious, Turbine, very mysterious.

The painting in Frostbluff Theatre

Look a bit familiar to Turbine fans?

John Howe's conceptualization

Professor Tolkien's own rendering of Durin's Door

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hobbit

Cracked Eggs - Old Bloodtusk

2012-01-08T16:00:00.000-06:00

Read more about the Cracked Eggs series here.

At a couple points now Turbine has done a send-up of itself, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

I will admit to being very sad and disappointed to discover that, after the launch of Free to Play and some content updates, Old Bloodtusk was never to be found in his tree trunk again. Those of you who played before this time know, Bloodtusk was the temperamental boar who lived in a dead tree trunk outside Archet. Little level 7's would have to take him on, with varying amounts of success. It was not uncommon to have to stand there waiting in line to get him with other newbies (we were apparently either too ignorant to group up at that point in order to save time for one mob kill, or just stubbornly resistant to doing so). Inevitably some noob rock star would come in from nowhere and immediately tag him ahead of everyone else waiting to do so. Ahhh, the old days. I was lucky enough to take several toons through that area, and Bloodtusk was a regular part of it. But since Free to Play, he's apparently moved on. His trunk is still there, though.

Nobody's home.

So imagine my pleasure when the Frostbluff Theatre first advertised its new play, an Ode to Old Bloodtusk, in 2010! I sat excitedly in the theatre, waiting to see what would happen. Only to be surprised by a change of plans and a play instead about that Mad Baggins. I wanted to see Old Bloodtusk! But I really enjoyed how cleverly they added that tiny nod to a popular part of their own game. I still have high hopes that some day we really might see a Bloodtusk play.

Naturally I was even more excited when I arrived in Dunland a year later, and just outside Galtrev wandered into an area titled Bloodtusk's Den! My heart raced as I imagined seeing Old Bloodtusk again after all this time and distance! I eventually picked up the quest to go back to the Den, only to discover this was actually a descendant of Old Bloodtusk, that "old, grisled boar" who had wandered down from the north. This youngster was called Big Bloodtusk. How Big Bloodtusk came about so quickly, and grew so large in such a brief amount of time, I'm not quite sure. But he certainly is a big boy and Old Bloodtusk must have been very proud.

I like how Turbine nested this little joke within a joke about one of their own characters. He may have been a relatively small and insignificant mob, but for new baby toons, he was definitely a memorable one. And it has been nice to cross paths with at least his reputation, and a descendant, on my journey south. It also gives me hope that the now unemployed rep barter NPC's may have found jobs elsewhere in Middle Earth, and that we'll encounter them somewhere as well.

Uncandled Eggs - Ost Barandor

2012-01-07T16:19:00.000-06:00

Read more about the Uncandled Eggs series here.

This post is dedicated to my first mystery - Ost Barandor. I cannot connect this to any Tolkien lore. Maybe I just have not looked in the correct places. But it certainly seems like it SHOULD be straight from the lore somewhere!

Ost Barandor is a ruined fortress in the far northwest corner of Bree-land. High above the rolling Brandy Hills, it isn't far from the spot where you find the giant Svalfang. Don't confuse it with Ost Baranor, another ruins in the Chetwood near the Yellow Tree.

It is far from most quest lines and seldom visited except by node farmers and those curious enough to wonder about the high ruins they often see in the distance. Nearby is Starmere Lake, another seemingly "actionless" area that is quite beautiful and tranquil.

The view from Ost Barandor stretches for miles around. My favorite, as shown in the accompanying illustration, looks to the southeast. To the right of the photo you can see the edge of the Old Forest, and the land slowly climbing up to the high hills surrounding the Barrow Downs. You can also spot the farm overrun by brigands to the north of Adso's Camp. A view of the northeast would look out over Starmere Lake toward the northern Bree-fields. To the west of Ost Barandor, the view of the Brandywine Bridge is unfortunately obscured by hills and trees, but you can see stretches of the brown Brandywine River and The Shire on the other side.

Berephon of Turbine confirms that Ost Barandor translates as "Fortress of the Brown Land." Baranduin is of course Sindarin for "golden-brown river," and the brown-toned water is most definitely rendered so in LOTRO. The Hobbits had a bit of fun with the name at several points, calling it Branda-nîn, the "border water" in their Westron terms, and later Bralda-hîm, the "heady ale."

I can't help but wonder when this fortress was built, and by whom. This region was once part of the Kingdom of Arnor long ago. When Arnor was broken into smaller kingdoms, I believe this place would have been on the borderline of Arthedain and Cardolan.

In 1636, the Great Plague killed the King in Gondor and spread north and west, devastating much of the population. The kingdom of Cardolan was particularly decimated with very few surviving. One can't help but wonder if Ost Barandor was struck by that plague, leaving it deserted to fall into ruins. Possibly the barrows of some of its inhabitants can be found inside those Downs to the southeast.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong. If anyone can provide references for Ost Barandor appearing anywhere in Tolkien lore, by all means please post here! At any rate, if you have never bothered to explore this very quiet corner of Bree-land, the view is not to be missed.

Sources: The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F

The Origin of Golf in Middle Earth

2012-01-05T13:18:00.000-06:00

At this point in time, the only formal hobby available to us in LOTRO is fishing. Yet Turbine still manages to give a nod to a lesser-known Hobbit hobby - golf.

According to The Hobbit as well as the timeline from Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings, goblins from Mount Gram invaded The Shire in year 2747 of the Third Age. The Hobbit defense in the Battle of the Green Fields was led by Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took, the great-grand-uncle of the Old Took, whose name is also found in the place Bullroarer's Sward.

An uncommonly large and brave Hobbit (he was a Took, after all), he charged into the midst of the goblins and, swinging his wooden club, knocked the head off their leader, Golfimbul. The head went flying and landed in a rabbit hole, and so was born the game of golf. Oh yes, and the battle was won, as well! No bogey on the bogey.

If you visit the town of Brockenborings in the northern part of The Shire, you'll see a large statue commemorating the Bullroarer's mighty backswing.

In a series of quests that begin in nearby Scary, you can end up finding what appears to be a goblin tooth in one of the many rabbit holes dotting the Green Fields north of town. You may even go deep into the Quarry cave, braving the many spiders, and find the remains of Golfimbul's skull. And in a later quest, your assistance is required to help get back the stolen club that the Bullroarer used.

Those players who are able to go on to Enedwaith will also find a chance to experience a little golf yourselves as emotes that can be obtained from the Grey Company - drive, putt, and chipp. So next time you take a swing, remember Golfimbul's head flying and go for the hole in one!

Cracked Eggs - The Number One Threat to Middle Earth

2012-01-04T18:57:00.001-06:00

Bears!

Anyone who is a Stephen Colbert fan and LOTRO player probably saw that coming. I am both, and I adore the way that Turbine planted a little bit of pop-culture in Middle Earth. While I'd hate to see too many eggs from real life popping up like they do in other MMO's, these are just downright clever and funny.

If you have traveled to the edge of the Fields of Fornost and stumbled upon Mincham's Camp, you have probably met a man named Colbert the Mad. He's the one we can thank for sending us after the very interesting lost girl, Idalene. He also likes to rant about the evil bears that threaten Fornost; in other words, he's as obsessed about the villainous, soulless bears as his namesake.

As any baby toon who has stepped foot out of Archet into the greater open spaces of Bree-land understands - THEY. WILL. KILL. YOU!

But this isn't all - when entering the Giant Wing of Helegrod in the Misty Mountains, we encounter the most monstrous epitomy of evil itself - Coldbear (get it - coldBEAR - it's all in how you say the name). How many noble raids have fallen to him and his bear cronies, one can only guess.

To make matters worse, even if you triumph over him, he COMES BACK as a Wight in the Glacier Fortress at Sari-Surma in Forochel! Apparently bears do have souls, and they can be resurrected as Wights by Drugoth. The horror!

Jokes aside (well, jokes included), Mr. Colbert is a true hardcore Lord of the Rings fan, as evidenced in a number of segments from his show. The man owns Andúril, for goodness' sake!

He knows and respects his Tolkien material, and for that he has my deepest respect.

Read more about the Cracked Eggs series here.

The Elf Camp Above Woodhall

2012-01-03T15:15:00.000-06:00

The description of Woodhall and the surrounding area as Frodo, Sam, and Pippin passed through always caught at my imagination. Something about the name itself conjures up images of a dark oak-wood under the stars, deep in the wilder Green Hill Country, quiet except for a mild late-summer breeze rustling the leaves, with the few yellow lights of the village blinking among the dark tree boles. What better place to encounter Elves.

Such a fortunate encounter for the Hobbits occurs just as a Black Rider approaches, when the sound of the Elves' voices drove it away. The three Hobbits are able to enjoy the hospitality and protection of the Elves that night within a true hall of woods.

Discussing the possible fate of the three Hobbits.

In LOTRO, on a high hill to the west of Woodhall, you'll find the Abandoned Elf Camp. A lone Elf, Orthir, stands guard there, possibly passing through on his way to or from the Grey Havens. Or more likely, passing through while conducting research on the trees in that part of Middle Earth. For Orthir is a Scholar of the Trees, and you will meet him again much later in Lothlorien, concerned about the state of some of the trees there (where he also admits to having had reservations about my intentions and abilities, but we're all good now - ah the frankness of the Elves). He's also adept at reading ancient runes found on a collar that identify a huge creature terrifying the Hobbits around Budgeford as being a Warg from Angmar (The Secret of the Collar, The Warg of Budgeford).

It doesn't take a great leap of imagination to believe that this may very well be the same Elf camp where the traveling Elves hosted Frodo, Sam, and Pippin. Maybe Orthir was even among the party on that night. As for the Elf in charge that night, the noble Gildor Inglorion, we are fortunate to cross paths with him again in the North Downs, inside the library of Lin Giliath. You will meet him personally when you run Chapter 5 of Volume 1, Book 3.

It is Gildor Inglorion who gives us another of the famous lines from the Lord of the Rings: "Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger."

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring

Happy Birthday Professor Tolkien!

2012-01-03T00:06:00.004-06:00

Professor Tolkien was born 120 years ago today, on January 3, 1892 - and we are all lucky for it. Raise a glass or mug or pint today in his honor!

Or, if you don't have a mug in-game, lift a pipe in his name!

The House at Crickhollow

2012-01-02T11:16:00.001-06:00

When Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry set off into the Old Forest on their journey east, Fatty Bolger remained behind. The unsung "fifth Hobbit" feared to go toward the peril that the other four were heading into. But he was a faithful friend of Frodo's nonetheless, and his often overlooked role was to stay back at the house Frodo had purchased in Crickhollow, carrying on the facade that Frodo was living there and simply keeping to himself. He even kept some of Frodo's old clothes to help maintain the illusion.

On the night that the other Hobbits arrived in Bree, a "brooding threat" permeated the darkness of Buckland and around the house at Crickhollow. In the hour just before dawn, three Black Riders descended on the house. They were even polite enough to knock:

"Open, in the name of Mordor!" said a voice thin and menacing.

At a second blow the door yielded and fell back, with timbers burst and lock broken. The black figures passed swiftly in.

Fortunately Fatty knew something was up, had the wisdom to leave the house before the Black Riders arrived, and at that moment was able to muster help through the Horn-call of Buckland. Hearing the horns and the ensuing clamor of Hobbits gathering, the Black Riders fled, dropping a Hobbit-cloak as they retreated. But they had already learned what they wished to know - Frodo was not at the house at Crickhollow.

If you visit Crickhollow, and you certainly will if you do Chapter 7 of Volume 1, Book 1, you can see the broken door and the dropped Hobbit-cloak, and have a chance to chat with Fatty Bolger as well.

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring

Cracked Eggs

2012-01-02T11:09:00.002-06:00

Just like Uncandled Eggs, the Cracked Eggs section will track non-Tolkien/Middle Earth eggs that Turbine has worked into the game. Sure, they are not lore-related or part of Middle Earth in any age. But they can still be quite fun and clever, and worth a nod!

Watch for these in upcoming posts as well!

Uncandled Eggs

2012-01-02T11:07:00.000-06:00

For those of you who aren't fortunate enough to come from a rural area (I come from The Shire of the U.S., and beautiful it is!) you may not know what it means to "candle" an egg. In simplest terms, it means to shine a bright light behind an egg so you could get some idea of the contents. Of course the first candling lights were...candles.

From time to time I'll create posts that are "Uncandled Eggs" - these are places or happenings inside LOTRO's Middle Earth that make me think there must be some manner of lore link, but for the life of me I haven't been able to figure out what. Could be nothing and just my imagination Could be I haven't been researching in the right places. But if anyone can add information to what I bring up in these posts, I'd very much welcome it! Let's see if we can shine enough light in there to see what's what.

Watch for the first Uncandled Eggs posts in the very near future.

A Hobbit Boating Adventure

2011-12-31T14:32:00.000-06:00

One of my many favorite parts of The Shire is crossing the ford of The Water at Budgeford. You are certain to be greeted by an elated Hobbit who, despite standing in a sinking canoe, is very happy to announce his activity. "I'm having an adventure. I've paddled all the way from Frogmorton!" he proudly announces to the Hobbit Watcher standing on the bank nearby.

Just another cute, random little NPC exchange, especially given that you can practically throw a rock and still hit Frogmorton just up the The Water? Not at all, it's another of the many tiny little nods to Middle Earth lore that Turbine snuck in to the game.

If you stick around and listen to the full dialogue, you hear the following:

Townsperson says, ''I'm having an adventure. I've paddled all the way from Frogmorton!''

Watcher says, ''Are you trying to kill yourself? Get out of the water before you drown!''

Townsperson says, ''But I'm paddling to the Brandywine! My cousin in Buckland sent me this boat, and I'm going for a visit.''

Watcher says, ''You crazy Took, you're as mad as a Baggins!''

Townsperson says, ''I'm just trying to float my boat down the river. Come down and help me.''

Watcher says, ''I'm not getting in there. Besides, you have a hole in the bottom. You're not going anywhere. I know that much!''

In just these few lines of dialogue between a couple unnamed NPC's, we have a whoooole lot of lore.

In the prologue of The Fellowship of the Ring, in the section Concerning Hobbits, we learn about the three primary "breeds" of Hobbits: Fallohides, Harfoots, and Stoors. Harfoots are the most numerous type of Hobbit, as Tolkien stated, "the most normal and representative" of all Hobbits. As you can imagine, The Shire is full of Hobbits of the Harfoot strain.

The Fallohides, on the other hand, seemed to gravitate toward adventure. You may have a bunch of Harfoots living in one place, but more likely than not their leaders were Fallohides. Remember that the first settlers of The Shire were led by the Fallohide brothers, Marcho and Blanco, as previously mentioned in my article about the Hobbit Archers at Fornost. Both the Took and the Brandybuck families still demonstrate strong Fallohide tendencies.

The Stoor Hobbits were known for being a bit unusual, and many of the families who later settled in Buckland, on the edge of The Shire, had Stoor ancestors. One of the many odd things about Stoors is they seemed to actually enjoy the water, and were the only Hobbits to "mess around" with boats. Some could even swim! No surprise given that they lived for many years along the banks of the Anduin. The Brandybucks most definitely also had Stoor ancestors.

If you have read any of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, you also are aware that Hobbits can be a bit...prejudiced...at times against Hobbits who hail from different strains, treating them with a healthy dose of suspicion and skepticism, if not outright scorn. We see this when old Gaffer Gamgee and friends are discussing Frodo Baggins and his origins. Frodo did, after all, come from Buckland and though Baggins may be his last name, "he's more than half a Brandybuck," according to the locals in Hobbiton.

The Gaffer further informs us about the Brandybucks that "...they're a queer breed, seemingly. They fool about with boats on that big river - and that isn't natural." The fact that Frodo's father Drogo, a solid Baggins, went and married Primula Brandybuck (who also had Took blood in her, for goodness' sake!) should have tipped everyone off to what was destined to happen - both Drogo and Primula drowned while boating on the Brandywine. Gasp!

So now you can deconstruct that bit of dialogue above and get the full richness of the context. Here we have a crazy Took (all that Fallohide blood, remember), whose nutty cousin from Buckland (let's not go into how queer those Stoorish types are) sent him a boat and he's off on some tomfool adventure trying to drown himself in The Water. The Watcher standing safely on the bank is clearly a solid Harfoot - she thinks he's stark raving mad to be messing around in the water, with a boat no less, and knows he'll probably kill himself. But what more can you expect from Tooks and Bucklanders? She also manages to get in a dig at the mad Baggins family as well, but that's nothing new in The Shire.

With that I'll wish everyone a Happy New Year. Don't just stand on the bank - may you each have your own little joyous adventure in 2012!

Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring

Dwaling and a Lost Lead Dog

2011-12-31T13:13:00.001-06:00

In my prior post on the Bird and Baby Inn, I talked about the group of Hobbits who congregate in the back room, deep in literary discussion. One very important Hobbit is missing, where in Middle Earth can he be?

If one takes a stable point from Michel Delving, over to Hobbiton, up through Overhill to Brockenborings, and then north to Oatbarton, you'll eventually discover a small village north of Oatbarton that has been overrun by brigands of the worst kind. Dwaling was once a snug, peaceful little town inhabited by artisan glass blowers. Recently much of the property in Dwaling was purchased by some mysterious Hobbit from the Westfarthing, who then sold it to some Big Folk, who subsequently turned out to be ruffians working for the equally mysterious "Sharkey" (or Sharku, as the half-orc properly calls him) and quite rude, to boot. And the Hobbit who sold all the property in Dwaling to this band of no-gooders? That naughty Lotho Sackville-Baggins. No surprises there, eh?

The remaining residents of Dwaling have turned to a local Hobbit of respect who apparently has some good writing skills, Mr. Ronald Dwale, to help them draft a letter to the chief ruffian in Dwaling. Mr. Dwale is none other than LOTRO's doppelganger of Professor Tolkien himself. A number of biographical sources state that his family called him "Ronald."

Your first meeting with Mr. Dwale may actually be to assist him in a quest to find a toy that his young son recently lost (Lost Dog). Turbine has again wonderfully integrated an event from Professor Tolkien's life into the story line here. In 1925, the Tolkien family went on a holiday to the Yorkshire coast, where one of his young sons lost a favorite toy lead dog. Professor Tolkien created a short story about the lost toy dog, which was submitted for publication a decade later after The Hobbit had been accepted, yet was never published until many years later and after his death. You may read more about Roverandom and the story of the little toy lead dog at Tolkien-Online. In the world of LOTRO's Middle Earth, however, the destiny of the toy dog is a bit nastier - it appears to have been eaten by one of the Sand Nerbyg from the dunes of the Barandalf! Washing it off in the Brandywine before returning it to Mr. Dwale might be a considerate thing to do.

Turbine gives us two additional chances to help the good Mr. Dwale. He seems to have lost a page from his notes that contained the first lines of a story he has been working on. Possibly one of the most important pieces of Hobbit literature - don't just stand there, go help him! Although just imagine where we would all be if he hadn't chosen to edit that first line....

After you have assisted him, Mr. Dwale decides he had better take advantage of the flowing creative juices (and I'm sure we would all thank him for that) and skip meeting with his friends - none other than the group at the Bird and Baby Inn in Michel Delving. They are naturally a bit disappointed, and a couple of them had hoped to read from some of their own works. But they are ultimately understanding friends in the end.

Jack Lewisdown expressing his disappointment.

A wonderful reward for assisting Mr. Dwale is a pipe that matches his own, and which emits a very pretty smoke shape!

Unfortunately you can only smoke his pipe once every hour; probably a good thing, as these Hobbits seem to be cloaked in smoke half the time - can't be healthy at all.

You may encounter Mr. Dwale twice more in your journeys through Middle Earth - he shows his linguistic skills during one of the chapters for the In Their Absence quest group.

Those lucky enough to be invited backstage at the G.L.O.B.E. theatre in Frostbluff may also catch a glimpse of him hurriedly finishing a play.

Leeowyn enjoying a smoke with Mr. Dwale.

Hobbit Archers at Fornost

2011-12-29T16:18:00.003-06:00

Looking up into the city of Fornost.

Hobbits are known for being insular, generally preferring to keep to themselves, rarely traveling beyond the borders of The Shire. Bree-land Hobbits are of course an exception, living side by side with the Big People. But an exception nonetheless. Hobbits for the most part have preferred to stick to their own territory and not mix with outsiders.

They do travel, of course. Their ancestors traveled a great distance from the banks of the Anduin, across the Misty Mountains, some settling into parts of Bree-land and Dunland. The two Fallohide brothers, Marcho and Blanco, received permission from the Arnorian King Argeleb II at Fornost to cross the Brandywine River and settle what became The Shire. This was in the year 1601 of the Third Age, or the year 1 in Shire Reckoning. Ever wonder why The Shire is full of crumbling old ruins that look like they just miiiight have been made by Men? Well, this is why! The Shire was part of the Kingdom of Arthedain (and Arnor, before it was split up) long before Hobbits arrived on the scene! Very nice touch, Turbine.

So for a few centuries, Hobbits of The Shire were subjects of the Kings of Arthedain at Fornost, and were responsible for guarding and maintaining the Brandywine Bridge for the kingdom (then called the Bridge of Stonebows).

In the year 1974, as the appendices to the LoTR trilogy show us, Fornost was overrun by the Witch King of Angmar and his forces. This occured over 1000 years before the events of the War of the Ring in 3019. When the kingdom of Arthedain fell, the Hobbits moved on and began their own system of stewardship, electing a Thain to run The Shire until the kingdom was restored. Contact between the Hobbits of The Shire and men was largely sundered - many men forgot Hobbits existed, most Hobbits tried to avoid the Big People. Somewhere in the mists of all those years, many therefore also forgot that Hobbits had actually gone to the aid of the King of Arthedain to help defend Fornost, and sent some Hobbit archers from The Shire.


Searching for Hobbit Arrowheads in Fornost

In LOTRO, if you travel to Fornost and elect to participate in the quests for the Fornost instance (a long instance, but very much worth it!), you will meet Bartelot and Penny Took, two modern-day Hobbits on an archaeological excursion of sorts, looking for evidence of the Hobbit participation in the defense of Fornost. You will be able to pick up a quest (The Forgotten Company) that will send you into Fornost looking for old arrowheads from those long-ago Hobbit archers.

By the way, Gondor and Rivendell did try to go to the aid of Arthedain - they just got there too late. They did however still march to Fornost, and booted out the Witch King and his forces. The Elf-lord Glorfindel was there, and made one of the most infamous prophecies in the War of the Ring lore: "Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall."

So for those who may scoff at the ability of Hobbits to be Hunters in LOTRO, let this be a lesson to you!

Sources: Appendix A, The Lord of the Rings trilogy

The Bird and Baby Inn

2011-12-29T13:02:00.001-06:00

Again, this is old news to Tolkien enthusiasts, yet there are countless LOTRO players who still don't know this story. I have been in and out of the Bird and Baby so many times this past week since Yule Fest started that I feel I almost live there, and of course I can't help but think of this wonderful nod to Tolkien himself that Turbine incorporated into the game.

Those of you who have been running in and out, drinking yourself dizzy on an Inn League quest or trashing ale barrels for the Ale Association (you daft cows!), have probably noticed the group of oddly named Hobbits who are congregating in the back room at the Bird and Baby Inn. Those aren't just random Hobbit names, and there isn't a bunny rabbit hiding in the room just because it's, well, a weird animal to place inside a tavern.

These Hobbits represent The Inklings, the real-life literary group that Professor Tolkien was part of, along with other notable authors such as C.S. Lewis of the Chronicles of Narnia. Professor Tolkien read early drafts from the LoTR trilogy to this group, and his own son, Christopher, became part of the informal group as well.

There is no "Bird and Baby Inn" to be found in Professor Tolkien's writings about Michel Delving. Rather, Turbine cleverly adapted the nickname of the "Eagle and Child," the real-life pub in Oxford where the Inklings would often meet and which was frequently dubbed the "Bird and Baby" by its clientele.

Owen Farfield, Carlo Williams, and Jack Lewisdown

In the Lord of the Rings Online game, the Hobbits found here are Jack Lewisdown (C.S. "Jack" Lewis), Owen Farfield (Owen Barfield), and Carlo Williams (Charles Williams). Read more about The Inklings and their own literary works on the Tolkien-Online site, and how the group was fit into LOTRO on LOTRO-Wiki.

And what about the bunny rabbit? The back room at the Eagle and Child that The Inklings met in came to be known as the Rabbit Room.

But wait a minute - where is the most famous member of The Inklings himself? Clearly nowhere to be found sitting around in the Bird and Baby. But he's in LOTRO's Middle Earth, oh yes. That, however, is the topic of another post.

Say hello to these men (er, Hobbits) as you pass by on your ale-related quests. And if anyone can tell me what the open book on the table is, I would love to hear it!

Chicken Nuggets in LOTRO

2011-12-29T12:23:00.001-06:00

The kin I am part of does an annual Free-Range chicken event to obtain the Crosser of Roads title; we'll probably do the next event in February, so I have just now started encouraging new kin members to take care of all of the preliminary quests in preparation, which has made my mind turn to the Chicken Lore Nuggets that can be found in abundance. (It's just a bad pun, and I'm actually vegetarian anyway.) If you are not familiar with Chicken Session Play in LOTRO, you are missing out! I won't reinvent the wheel and describe it in detail here, you can learn more about it on LOTRO-Wiki.

One of the neat things about Chicken Play is it takes you through various regions of Middle Earth to talk to many animals, and get the animals' perspectives on the situation in Middle Earth. What's fun is the fact that many of these animals come directly from various works of Professor Tolkien. If you engage in Chicken Play, you can expect to meet:

Fang, Farmer Maggot, Hammy Maggot, Grip, and Wolf patrolling in the background.

The Fox in the Green Hill Country - Granted this fox has no name, but seeing as how we don't come across too many talking foxes in Middle Earth, I think chances are very good that this is the same fox who crossed paths with Frodo, Sam, and Pippin as they were leaving the Shire. From the Fellowship of the Ring: A fox passing through the wood on business of his own stopped several minutes and sniffed. "Hobbits!" he thought. "Well, what next? I have heard of strange doings in this land, but I have seldom heard of a hobbit sleeping out of doors under a tree. Three of them! There's something mighty queer behind this." He was quite right, but he never found out any more about it. Our Fox in LOTRO states the following: "Now what is this? First three hobbits sleeping in the forest, and now a chicken?"
Grip, Fang and Wolf - These are the dogs your chicken will encounter at Farmer Maggot's mushroom farm of Bamfurlong, located in The Marish in the Southeastern portion of the Shire in LOTRO. And of course these are the same dogs that terrorize the Hobbits as they trespass on his land in Fellowship of the Ring.
Radagast the Brown - I don't think any explanation is needed here! Your chicken will speak to Radagast in his room at Ost Guruth in the Lone Lands.
Roheryn - Your chicken will find Roheryn near the Stable Master in Rivendell. Roheryn is Aragorn's mount, who is brought back to him by his fellow Dunedain in the Return of the King, and accompanies Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead. I guess he's just hanging out in Rivendell, eating Elvish hay or horse lembas, until he's needed.
Wink the Cat? - I have seen a lot of conjecturing about the cat-house in Bree, but ultimately I don't think it is a Lore nugget, just cute. In fact, I believe I have seen a reference that LOTRO's Berephon stated the Bree cat-house was an inside joke among devs. So are they the descendants of Queen Beruthiel's cats? Probably not lol. She is mentioned in the Unfinished Tales, and supposedly only had 10 cats - 9 black and 1 white. There are way more cats than that in the cat-house, and of all colors and patterns! We get one mention of her in the Fellowship of the Ring, by Aragorn when the company enters Moria, when he speaks of relying on Gandalf to find the way: "He is surer of finding the way home in a blind night than the cats of Queen Beruthiel."
The Chickens - What about the chickens themselves? To the best of my knowledge, NOT Lore nuggets. Pimpinella, Telltime, Moonlight, Cineraria, Bellflower - as far as I can tell, these are just creative Hobbit names, most if not all of them plant-related. (Unless Telltime is part of the old joke, "How does a chicken tell time? one o'cluck, two o'cluck...groan!) Then there is Bilina the Chicken - Dorothy and Oz, anyone? And what about George the Chicken? There are several Chicken Georges in pop-culture, but again, this seems to be some sort of inside dev joke from what I have been able to gather. I do believe there was/is a LOTRO dev named "Chicken George."

Once you complete all of the Chicken Play quests (you earn the coveted Cloak of the Cluck for this, by the way), it the opens up a golden, Free-Range chicken who can engage in that Ultimate Chicken Adventure Royale, the Crosser of Roads deed! This is not for the faint of Chicken heart, as it must be completed in one sitting and takes about 5-6 hours to complete (the game gives you a maximum of 8 hours, and if you log out or die, you go right back to square one). If you would like to read more about the Crosser of Roads deed and strategy, a wonderful Community Guide was created on the LOTRO forums by Lorr, aka Nightwind.

An Unexpected Journey

2011-12-29T09:41:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the first post of my blog! How did I get here in the first place?

I have been playing LOTRO for almost 3 years, and have leveled up 4 characters, with many other "babies" in a spectrum of levels 8-75. I'm part of a vibrant kin, I like to raid, I like to quest. I love to collect outfits - my wardrobe and shared storage are filled to the brim, and I even won an outfit contest on Cosmetic LOTRO recently (yes, this is my Farmer Girl!). I also love to collect houses - that's right, houses. I own a Deluxe house in each of the four neighborhoods, plus three kinhouses of my own or that I share with a couple friends/family. It costs me over 9 gold/month just for upkeep!

Yet even with all these special interests in the game, I was recently bitten by the completionist bug. What is this bug, you may ask? It compels me to take my main, a Captain named Leeowyn, through all aspects of the game. This means completing all quests, deeds, hidden deeds, raids, instances - you name it. I have a few friends in my kin who are completionists, and I always thought they were a bit mad. Nevertheless, I now find myself in the same state. It is made all the more challenging due to the fact that I switched mains one year ago, and since she was the fourth toon I chose to take to the level cap, I admit skipping large swaths of quests all over the place. This means I have a lot to go back over.

Since the Yule Festival is currently underway, much of my time has been devoted to running consecutive Inn League and Ale Association quests to get both to Kindred, while also earning enough Yule tokens to get 300 each of the 5 consumables available (oh yes, I must complete all those deeds, and have finished one already!), complete all the Frostbluff deeds that were not finished last year (all but one, handing out coins to the poor, are finished), and earn enough other Yule tokens to get the nice cosmetics and other items that I want. This has meant lots, and lots, and LOTS of Yule festival grinding, but I'm pleased to say I have both beer-drinking factions in the middle of Ally, I'm making good progress on obtaining the consumables, and have obtained all other barterable items that I wanted, including the horse, snowglobes, and wallpapers.

So - all this grinding has also meant I have needed a break here and there. If not running Tier 2 of the Foundry with my kin, what better time to take Leeowyn back to the beginning, and start wiping out quests and deeds in Bree-land. I am almost done there, except for wrapping up a few kill deeds in Haudh Iarchith.

A giant on the borders of The Shire.

In the midst of my completionist activities, I came across a quest to go retrieve a backpack from the giant Svalfang. I had done this quest on other toons, albeit a long time ago, and had forgotten all about this small but very neat quest arc that takes you into a rarely visited section of Bree-land. As it so happens, I also recently started my annual re-reading of the trilogy, and was just going over the part where Sam and some other Hobbits are sitting in the Green Dragon in Bywater, discussing the strange folk who have been passing through The Shire lately. Sam states his cousin Halfast claims to have seen a giant on the borders of The Shire!

Now, based on the description, we could interpret that also as an actual Ent, or possibly a Huorn, as Sam's description of what Halfast saw could be taken to actually resemble a tree, specifically an elm, and not just being "bigger" than a tree. And there is indeed another quest bestowed by Gammer Boffin in Overhill, to go rescue a "walking tree" caught in the spider's lair in the Northfarthing. At any rate, the description of giants on the borders of The Shire jumped out at me this time around.

Despite having read the trilogy countless times, and run through the Svalfang quests in the past, I never made the connection between that small account in the FoTR and this giant in the far Northwest of Bree-land. And as any Tolkien fan who plays LOTRO understands, that warm fuzzy "ah-ha!" glow of recognition you get when once again Turbine has managed to weave a tiny bit of canon into the game, is truly a pleasure to experience. Hence this blog is my own attempt to collect those warm, fuzzy Lore bits for everyone to enjoy.

Much of this will not be new news. In fact, many readers will know or have encountered or heard about things I will discuss here. My intent is to create a sort of Mathom House of lore nuggets collected by myself and others as well. Comments will be welcome, particularly if you think I have made an error or missed some vital information. Herein may certainly be spoilers, so fair warning! But my hope is that folks who don't mind a spoiler may enjoy the growing compilation, possibly even learn of something new and how to find it in-game, and get that warm, fuzzy Lore glow just like I do!

So thanks for joining me. I look forward to the company along the way.