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Codemasters releases trailer for LotRO Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm
Things are looking pretty good for fans of Lord of the Rings Online with the frequent content updates that Turbine has been cranking out. Codemasters has just released a teaser trailer for Lord of the Rings Online Volume II Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm that shows what awaits your Fellowship in the Mines of Moria this summer. Massively recently had the opportunity to go on a dev tour of the new content and get some info about the quest revamps, 3-, 6,- and 12-man instances, and a preview of the Summer Festival, which is well worth a look if we don't say so ourselves. LotRO's Volume II Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm is slated for a June release and we've got a video embed of the Book 8 teaser trailer for you after the jump.%Gallery-64417%%Gallery-64288%
Know Your LotRO Lore: The Dwarves
Welcome to Know Your LotRO Lore, a new weekly column here at Massively showcasing the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's world as it intersects with Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online.In last week's Know Your LotRO Lore, we discussed the Elves and their origins in Tolkien's Middle-earth. This week we're going to continue along in that tradition by covering the Dwarven race, their origins and impact in Tolkien's works and Lord of the Rings Online.As with the Elves, Tolkien did not invent the Dwarf, but he did popularize and redefine the term, beginning with The Hobbit. The plural "dwarves" was also popularized by Tolkien, as it was more commonly known before that as "dwarfs", which now refers mainly to real people affected by dwarfism. This can get tricky when political correctness comes into play, but as it pertains to this article, we will focus purely on the mythical race. Follow along through the link below for more on Tolkien's Dwarves. Dwarven Origins >> %Gallery-39552%
Hero's guide to LotRO's Foundations of Stone
We've learned about many areas of Lord of the Rings Online: Moria of Moria throughout Turbine's Hero's Guide series, yet none could be as structurally important (literally) as the Foundations of Stone. Being the bottom-most level of the mines, this area is actually the foundation of Khazad-dûm. In fact, the murky lake in the center of this level holds a remnant from the Bridge of Khazad-dûm which had fallen from Nud-melek above.Being in such a remote and subterranean locale, the Foundations of Stone is home to a great infestation of fungus that deforms the creatures who dwell near it. You'll see Orcs, Trolls and other creatures plagued by the mysterious fungi, hoping to spread a bit your way. However, amid this grotesque infestation is a true work of art: The Endless Stair. This structure stretches from the bottom of the Foundations of Stone to the highest peak above Nud-melek. You can bet that falling from this would do much more than simply break your legs. Check out Turbine's entire Hero's guide series for more on navigating your way through the Mines of Moria.
Know Your LotRO Lore: Khazad-dum and the origins of Moria
Welcome to Know Your LotRO Lore, a new weekly column here at Massively showcasing the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's world as it intersects with Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online.Long ago, the Dwarves were numerous and mighty. This was an age when the Elves, Men and Dwarves lived in harmony, the mithril was plentiful and the Orcs were driven back to Sauron's lair. This was the end of the Second Age: the age of Khazad-dûm. To first understand Khazad-dûm, we must start at the very beginning.Early in the First Age, "long before the creation of the Sun and Moon," according to Tolkien, Durin "The Deathless" had awoken at Mount Gundabad, far to the north in the Misty Mountains. His growing clan of Longbeards eventually moved southward down the vales of Anduin, being driven out of Gundabad due to constant attacks from the Orcs of Morgoth. It was during this journey that he discovered "a glen of shadows between two great arms of the mountains." He followed a series of short waterfalls down into an oval lake, which he believed to have a magical quality. The glow of this lake and the reflection of stars in the water led Durin to believe it was a sign, and he went on to name it the Mirrormere. It is near this area where Durin chose to create his ultimate stronghold: The Dwarrowdelf, or Khazad-dûm in his native tongue.
Exploring Moria's Waterworks
Turbine is at it again with their latest Lord of the Rings Online Hero's Guide, detailing the lore and history of the Waterworks area of the Mines of Moria. If you've ever wondered about how the entire mines get their water supply, or how those freaky, mutated Orcs came to be, this six-page lore-tastic guide will clue you in to the details.In fact, Turbine has been fairly diligent about giving us tons of information on these new areas of the Mines of Moria. If you've missed any of the previous Hero's Guides, check them all out to get a deeper understanding of what to expect in Khazad Dum. Only four more days until Moria!
Mines of Moria gets a November 18th release date
Mines of Moria, the first expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, has been given a release date of November 18th for both the NA and EU today. That means we're only about a month away from ten new levels, two new classes, legendary weapons, angry Balrogs and the under-mountain Dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dum. Those who decide to pre-order Mines of Moria will have access to an offer of $199.99 for a lifetime subscription. Considering that Turbine has said there's going to be plenty of expansions, including another one next year, this is an incredibly valuable investment for anyone enamored with the virutal Middle-earth.Also being offered are in-game bonus items, although the list differs slightly depending on your choice between retail or digital stores. Make sure to make a wise purchase decision by checking our our exclusive developer tour of the new expansion. We've also got a fantastic video that delves ... just maybe a little too deep. Find the lists of preorder items and their differences after the cut.%Gallery-33074%
