Sneak peak - Upcoming content!

[DM_Kev]

Olorin is still working on his excellent Shire areas, adding quests and also expanding west to the Grey Havens and their surrounding areas. He has 6 quests completed and plans for many more!

They will be 99% non combat and offer new players an introduction that is both easy and relaxing and also a stunning region to begin the game in. Expect to see all this content online in the next few weeks.

But for those of you who must know more, I have taken the following shot of some areas which I felt were the most highest quality.

Southern cliffs of the Gulf of Lhun, with its small beach

The interior of the Green Dragon Inn

A section of the Grey Havens

The entrance to a mine in the Shire

A hobbit Shirrif patrols the woods with his loyal terrier (yes, the dog will follow him around!)

Gildor Inglorien contemplates the fate of the world in Woody End

Those are just a tiny taster of whats in store over the coming weeks and months!

Any comments are welcome below

[DM_Olórin]

Learning as I go so be patient... I've never set up quests before these.

One very useful tip is to turn off your grass in your video options, as all the detail in the shire is at ground level, gardens, flowers, paths, additional roads, etc which the log grass obliterates and the grass comes up well past the head height of most hobbits anyway

[DM_Aule]

Being on the Dev team has its advantages... *chuckles*

I've had a chance to look at the Shire and the other areas Olorin is working on at the moment. They are absolutely brilliant. Wait and see. Low level chars will not want to leave... Definitely see why Hobbits are wary of the big scary world outside.

..even though there's potential for higher-level quests there too, in particular towards Mithlond, the Blue Mountains and that kind of area..

Kev, can I post some screenies of Mithlond and the surroundings? Or are we keeping the sneak peak sneaky?

[morez]

btw...

@olorin what does the south??

i am just excited to see that stuff *breathes*

your greatest fan, old mate (remember the times Veld and Cuferedir met the first time *sighs*)

i am sure harad will be amating too (oh the shire i havent seen frodo yet...but that what i've seen ...*bows*)

'go on and myke my day'

*Yûshmar still thinkks about how to sneak disguised into harad to leave his exile*

and... yeah!!! want some Mithlond screeeeenies *screams*

detailism in areas without much combats is soooo great

peace and i am out

thanks

[SNarfel]

Drools longingly at mention of the Shire.

Wonders if it would be possible for PC hobbit sherrifs to have terrier summon akin to ranger companions.

Bows in gratitude to Olorin.

[DM_Kev]

Aule: Post any screenies you wish

[DM_Aule]

SNarfel: Terrier summons would be quite feasible from a technical point of view. We'll have to think about whether they'd be useful. Perhaps something to discuss at a Dev meeting.

Hehe, I'll take out my camera and go taking photos of Mithlond then, shall I.

[SNarfel]

SNarfel begins concocting ways to make it appear that terriers would definitly be useful.....

[morez]

terriers could have true smell ah i amean truw sight or something else that easily could detect hidden figures

[DM_Kev]

My plan is a very high spot and listen, always superior to that of a mortal. That way the dog can spot trouble makers for the Shiriff too

[SNarfel]

I do like that idea, the Shire should be a very difficult place for nosey parkers to snoop around, one cos they would stand out like a sore thumb, two cos evil types hardly knew the place existed and three cos hobbits themselves have a habbit of being very nosey as a community and knowing whats going on in thier immediate locality. So anything that helps a hobbit sherrif spot intruders or sneaks would fit in well IMHO.

[DM_Aule]

Alright, here we go -- just a couple more

• A quiet corner in the woods...
• A hobbit settlement
• On the way to the west...
• Mithlond --- the Grey Havens, view from the sea.
• Coasts can get a bit foggy at times..

Sorry if the images are blurry --- took them at 1920x1200, then realised I should probably scale them down a bit.

This is again just a taste... got some more shots of Mithlond, but it was pointed out to me they'd look better during the daytime, when it isn't raining, so I'll re-take them (if there's interest, hehe).

Once again, kudos to Olorin for creating an absolutely amazing set of areas; the atmosphere is spot on. Looking forward to seeing them online

[DM_Aule]

Just two for now --- blame the weather, it was still raining..

• Mithlond inside --- still rainy, sorry, I'll try again later
• Sailing away from Middle Earth --- not a view many players will see

Let's hope for better weather later.

[Prophet7]

I don't want to go too off topic in the official announcements, but even if the terrier isn't very useful in the game it would be a great RP tool. Just like giving Champions of Yavanna an animal summon... *winks*

[DM_Olórin]

I only gave the terrier to one particular shirriff as a means to set up some amusing convos...

woof woof...
whats that jacko?.. you saw them go which way....
woof...
Well I didnt see him but Jacko says hes on the east road...

What have i gone and done now...

[Argon Balros]

perhaps we should have a pet shop so every one can have a pet

[clone number 3]

How about

Woof woof.....
what's that jacko? Little Jimmy Hairylobes is trapped in the old abadoned mineshaft?!
Woof....

[morez]

@Aule: Nice holiday pics

[Savageprayer]

aye nice pics of the new stuff can't wait....