LOTRO Reporter Podcast

In this last timely episode of 2014, Cari and Layanor talk about cloths dryers and update 15.1.  There were some surprise big bads in Angmar.   Audio Version:   What We Did in Game Layanor Cari-Mac Yule Festival Hit Level 100 Tricked out my first Agers Bought some more storage with the 30% off Coupons   News Update 15.1 Release Notes https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?560718-Update-15-1-Release-Notes Some Essences available in Central Gondor were too powerful when equipped in multiples. Therefore, they have been made "Unique Use". You can only have one of any particular unique use essence equipped on your character at a time. You can now use "Track Nearby Quests" in interior locations It should now be more difficult for players to become out of sync with their mounts when riding. The launcher stopped downloading new in-game splash screens, it will start downloading them again! The launcher stopped performing the "install pre-requisites" stage, it will once again install missing pre-requisites. Relaxed naming restrictions surrounding "-beorn", which is now a legal character name suffix.   The Bad Guys snuck in a little early https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7284160#post7284160 Level 100 roaming mobs were unintentionally added to this patch.   Chance Thomas Out for Future Music in LOTRO http://themalaysianlotrogamer.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/lotro-an-end-of-an-era-thank-you-and-farewell-chance-thomas/?utm_content=buffercc807&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer   LOTRO and DDO Down over The Weekend https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7279621#post7279621   Win the first Two Hobbit Videos https://www.facebook.com/LOTRO?v=app_194975693850063&rest=1 December 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   Community Amavocet Idea on the forums. https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?560013-Map-overlay-crafting-tiers PIMP YOUR ELF! http://layanor.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/pimp-your-lotro-for-5-bucks-with-sapiences-extra-life/ We got the Tundra Bear   The Tolkien Profession is Teaching a Course in LOTRO http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/12/09/professor-to-hold-open-course-in-lord-of-the-rings-online-asks/ Letter from Kandral:  Hello there! I would very much like that our concert would be mentioned in the upcoming community events on lotroreporter. Rolling with the winter WonderKegs - on Laurelin at 3PM Server Time (8PM UK time / 9PM Central European Time)   Please find full details of the concert in the following link: http://laurelinarchives.org/node/28644 Attached the poster for the concert. If you would have any questions or would need further pictures, do not hesitate to get in touch. Everyone is welcomed! Also, please check out our band-site: www.therollingkegs.tk  for loads more information on our band. Thank you again, Kandral   Contact Information Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.tv/mmoreporter   Cari  Twitter: @thecarimac Layanor  Twitter: @Layanor  

  Due to technical difficulties Cari and Layanor are thrown off our game. The show is a mess of missed cue's and missed opportunities. Join us as we talk about the Sale that was, and Sapience getting a boost in his extra life. Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor LOTRO 51%   Cari Mac Dragon Age Inquisition   News There were some Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7274070#post7274070 75% off some of the quest packs and expansions   Stat Tomes are Actually 30% off https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7276985#post7276985 Through Dec 7   Phone Closures for the Holiday’s https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7266461#post7266461 12/16- Company Event 12/24- Christmas Eve 12/25- Christmas 12/31- New Year's Eve 1/1/15- New Year's Day   November 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   Layanor’s Did You Know http://layanor.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/lotro-did-you-know-epic-battle-quest-guide/   Community Mail from Amavocet; Hello again, folks! I didn't realize until you critiqued my Beorning's cosmetic outfit that I had him in regular shoes. Avobert now wears Snow-beast Boots dyed walnut brown. (I thought it was a better shade than black, although those were nice, too). While questing tonight, I got the Bear Hide Jacket, so I put that on him as well. Everything has been dyed walnut brown. [If you want to post the picture of his outfit, here is a list of the gear in the ensemble.] Head: Avornhar Shoulders: Vibrant Calenard War Pauldrons Back: Cloak of the Boar Chest: Bear Hide Jacket Gloves: Extravagant Festival Gloves Legs: Shabby Leggings Feet: Snow-beast Boots   PIMP YOUR ELF! http://layanor.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/pimp-your-lotro-for-5-bucks-with-sapiences-extra-life/ Ghost Bear is Unlocked   What we are thankful for in LOTRO https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?559756-Top-5-reasons-I-m-Thankful-for-LotRO-and-Turbine Contact Information: Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.tv/mmoreporter   Cari  Twitter: @thecarimac Layanor  Twitter: @Layanor

Carrie takes us on a wild (get it.... wild...) ride through the life of a Beorling in The Lord of the Rings Online. It's a great view of the low level gameplay and the mechanics of the Beorling class.  

Cari and Layanor are in game this week. She is very surprised by something. Audio Version:   What We Did in Game Layanor In the Moors 50% into Rank 14 Cari-Mac Beorning Layanor Power Leveled me from 10 to 15 I got presents on Brandywine foe Ali - Thank you Layanor Dragon Age Inquisition News Last Week was a bad week for server Downtimes. Down on 11/18 and 11/19 Bullroarer Open Last Weekend with Update 15.1 https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7271592#post7271592 Ettenmoors guards which used to attack low-level scaled-up players have been given a talking-to You can now use "Track Nearby Quests" in interior location Gondor - Endgame - Instance: Retaking Dol Amroth - Docks: Mobs no longer fall off the boat Frelorn- Bullroarer won’t be open over the Holiday Weekend Enjoy leveling your Bear Retaking Pelagrir 6 Man’s on Bullroarer this Weekend https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7272928#post7272928 Turbine Really is sending out Holiday Cards Draculetta received a handwritten card from Turbine with a code for 500 TP Several others did as well News from the Livestream https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7271684#post7271684 15.1 out after Thanksgiving but before Christmas Producer’s Letter may be out about the same time Phone Closures for the Holiday’s https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7266461#post7266461 11/27- Thanksgiving 11/28 12/1- Team Charity Event 12/16- Company Event 12/24- Christmas Eve 12/25- Christmas 12/31- New Year's Eve 1/1/15- New Year's Day   November 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   Layanor’s Did You Know https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?550304-Socketed-Armour-and-Essences   Community Bath Song Video by Lina Willow http://www.linawillow.org/home/2014/11/bath-song-hobbit-water-ballet/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7kvXOijfvU How to Get the Ridge Racer Deed http://tweaklotro.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/ridge-racer/ PIMP YOUR ELF! http://layanor.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/pimp-your-lotro-for-5-bucks-with-sapiences-extra-life/ Contact Information Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.tv/mmoreporter   Cari  Twitter: @thecarimac Layanor  Twitter: @Layanor  

  Cari and Laynor are on different sides of the official player event stance. Listen to us try to fix the problem.   Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor Power Leveled My Bear   Cari-Mac Played some Beorning   News Surprise the Servers are Down https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7269410#post7269410 Ok look folks here is the deal. Very recently there was a super bad vulnerability found on most newer versions of machines running windows.http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2014...vulnerability/ So we of course had to update a ton of stuff, but before we can do that we have to test everything to make sure it works and does not break anything. What happened today was a miscommunication on when this downtime was going to take place. As soon as we found out, we put up messaging and did our best to spread the word on worse than short notice. We will have the game servers back available for player as soon as possible, and we once again thank you for your patience.   Official Policy Stance on Support of Player Run Events https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?558850-Official-Policy-Stance-on-our-Support-of-Player-Run-Events One of the things that we’ve seen detract from these events is the negative behavior and actions of other players. Specifically, we know that players moving throughout the performance area on mounts can be particularly frustrating and distracting. To combat this problem we’re looking into what options are available to help combat this behavior in designated performance (stage) areas. We’ll also be removing players who are mounted from the stage area manually in the meantime. Typically, we’ll take this action upon receiving a help request. We will also take this action if we happen to see it occurring while monitoring events. If this behavior is repeated after we issue a warning we will be taking further action including banning the trolling players. Please keep in mind that this policy is for events that use designated stages. We cannot provide support if the events are held in areas with quest givers, standard gameplay, etc.   If a GM does witness blatant and intentional disruptive behavior other than being mounted in the performance areas we will take action against that disruptive behavior as well. We want to take a common sense approach of fostering these events and removing anyone displaying harassing or “troll” behavior.   That statement was indicating if there are events in areas where standard game-play is expected (areas with quest givers, crafting stations, etc.) that we won't be taking action on players who are simply mounted and turning in quests for example. Bad behavior is still unacceptable anywhere in Middle Earth.   Music System is Reverting to Pre Update 15 in the next Update https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7268587#post7268587   Phone Closures for the Holiday’s https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7266461#post7266461 11/27- Thanksgiving 11/28 12/1- Team Charity Event 12/16- Company Event 12/24- Christmas Eve 12/25- Christmas 12/31- New Year's Eve 1/1/15- New Year's Day   November 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   Layanor’s Did You Know http://layanor.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/lotro-did-you-know-level-100-stat-caps/   Contact Information Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.tv/mmoreporter   Cari  Twitter: @thecarimac Layanor  Twitter: @Layanor  

Cari and Layanor talk about Update 15, big butts and epic battles. Cari is such a dedicated podcaster she finished the show without power. Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor   Cari-Mac Leveled my Beorning   News Update 15 Patch Notes https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7260542#post7260542 Beornings are here! Every new Beorning character will start in the brand new starting area: Vales of Anduin. Visit Grimbeorn’s Lodge while you get comfortable with your own strength. Beornings are designed to be a dynamic skin-changer class. Their basic skills emphasize the difference between human and bear forms. There are skills available in three different ways: those available in man form; those available in bear form; those available in any form. Pelargir Epic Battle: Retaking Pelargir is a new type of offensive Epic Battle where you help Aragorn’s forces defeat the Corsairs at Pelargir. Available in solo/duo mode (with fellowship option coming soon), face a new enemy type, Epic Foes, new barterable rewards, and witness the Army of the Dead annihilate the Corsair host. We have added a new character chat restriction: All new free characters must wait 3 hours of in-game time before they will be able to use world chat and all user created chat channels (such as glff). All other channels will be available to them. Once players have reached this three hour time limit, they will need to relog in order to then join the chat channels. Please note: This change ONLY affects free players and all times and restrictions are subject to change. When in a raid, the Instance Finder UI will now properly gray out any specific instances that cannot be accessed by other members of your raid group. The raid skirmish quests should now be correctly bestowing on players at level 100, making it so that they can correctly loot the skirmish raid reward chests and see the roll/pass, need/greed/pass, and master loot work correctly. Fixed a problem where skirmish raid chests could be looted with Free-for-all rules, regardless of the player eligibility or fellowship settings   Update 15.1 Patch Notes https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7263997#post7263997 Music System: We have fixed the squeaky A#4 Clarinet note Beornings in bear form now have unique faces that display the painted designs seen in man form During Volume 4 Book 2 - Chapter 2: Two Messengers: some of the Corsairs had rings who shouldn’t have. This should now be resolved. Volume 4 Book 2, Chapter 3: Balakhor the Scourge: Captain Noreth should now always be waiting for you on the boat. Big Battles - Pelargir - Quests - Archer Thisarti and Okurauo the Minstrel quests should now complete after killing the required enemies   Update 15 Known Issues https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7260894#post7260894   WB Plans More Layoffs http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/05/warner-bros-plans-more-layoffs-through-early-2015/   We Want your Top 10 Bugs https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7264768#post7264768 Just like the title says, we want your top 10 list of bugs or things in the game that have bugged you for a while now. We are not talking about class balance or skill x being op, but rather things that are busted or never quite worked right. Think of them as “Quality of life” fixes. These items may not have stopped you from playing, but you sure wish they were fixed. So post your list in this thread and let us know. After some time we will compile the list and see about getting some items fixed in an upcoming update.   Season’s Greetings https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7264941#post7264941 The Code Blue is asking that we update our name and address on the forums. There might be goodies arriving for the holidays.   November 14-16: 25% Mark Acq. Boost 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP

Cari and Layanor talk about the adventurous Update 15, a reader letter, and Exta Life.   Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor %48.28 9 tokens away from mount   Cari-Mac Not a Darn Thing I played a Pink Fuzzy Character over the weekend Worked on my LI’s   News Update 15 Dropping Nov 5 http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/10/28/lord-of-the-rings-online-update-15-coming-next-wednesday/   Phone Customer Service Closing Early https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7256244#post7256244 Turbine English Phone support will be closing at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, October 29th for a company Halloween event. We will also be closing at 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, November 6th to attend a company meeting. As always if you have any issues and need Customer Support's assistance, you can send us a ticket using the info in my signature. Don't forget that we're on Twitter as well! -Coldblue   Beta Update 3 is Live https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7254981#post7254981   Frelorn is livestreaming. https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?554350-Frelorn-Q-amp-A-from-Livestreams&highlight=livestream October 21 – November 2nd: Fall Festival November 7 - 9: Hobnanigans 14-16: 25% Mark Acq. Boost 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   Community  Letter from Morty I made a post on LotRO forums about this and was curious what you guys thought about it. The basic point of the forum post is that I would love to see the level cap for quest raised from +5 to +10 because right now there is very little challenge in doing quests that are only 5 levels above you. You will understand more by reading my post ... and also reading the replies (which I think are GREAT) https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?557667-Level-Restrictions-for-Quests-Raised&p=7254027#post7254027 I'm very lucky to have a group that meets once a week and we are finding that we just tear through quests and content that is only +5 levels above us and it would be nice if Turbine could change this. I don't see any draw backs, but maybe I am missing something. I am not a proponent for more xp and think that xp should cap at +5. I hope that all makes sense ... Thanks for any input you guys might have. I LOVE listening to your show. ~Morty   Contact Information Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.tv/mmoreporter   Cari  Twitter: @thecarimac Layanor  Twitter: @Layanor

Cari and Layanor talk about turning into a bear, Epic Battle shtuff, and spooky scary Halloween Concerts.   Audio Version: What We Did in Game   Layanor Touched on the moors Epic Battles Going to start the festival   Cari-Mac Leveled on my Landy Mini I hate the Dead Marshes - The Quests Suck   News Beorning Question https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7253515#post7253515 But a question are we going to get class armour npcs, LI vendors for moria LIs and the Iron Garrison Guards 'old legendary trait' now class point deed book?   Made of Lions: I believe that the old traits/Class Points from Moria are instead distributed through the L15, L30, and L45 Beorning Class Quests -- other classes don't get points from those quests, but Beornings do. I don't know about vendors or class armour, though.   Fall Festival is Live Another Blanket Horse   Frelorn is livestreaming. https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?554350-Frelorn-Q-amp-A-from-Livestreams&highlight=livestream   October 21 – November 2nd: Fall Festival November 7 - 9: Hobnanigans 14-16: 25% Mark Acq. Boost 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   3 Mans   Community   Letter from Kevin 8.0 You were absolutely correct in assuming I am anxious to try out the new Epic Battle. I wanted to bring up a couple complaints that I've heard about Epic Battles: 1. I don't get to play my class in them. I don't intent to sound harsh here, but what are people doing in them if not playing their class? In the 3-person, 6-person, and especially the raid, all the classes are needed. When adds are attacking squishy targets, a tank forcing aggro off of the targets is key to a successful run, and healing those targets is also necessary. Can't do that as a hunter! And lately as a hunter, I've been playing as Vanguard, and it boosts my DPS so high, it makes me feel like an atomic bomb. DPSers should love Epic Battles. 2. I just stand around and wait for the instance to complete. With some careful use of a catapult or ballista, you end up flipping this into an offensive attack. By doing this in the raid, I have been able to get a full platinum run with only 10 people. There is no standing around at all, even with all 12. I also do this in Helm's Dike duo, and have been able to squeeze this instance down into a short 12 minutes. 3. They are too long. Same answer as above. Every single instance can be sped up to complete much faster, sometimes too fast. 4. I keep getting the same rewards over and over. I totally agree with this, and it seems to be getting a nice change in the next update. One thing to add here: if you only do the duo size Epic Battles, it will take a long time to get any rewards. But since my kin has been doing the raid about 3-4 times a week, I have been seeing on average 1 gold jewel drop each run, and two 1st age symbols. The best run I've seen for rewards was 3 gold jewel items and 5 1st age symbols all in one run. My biggest fear with the new reward system for Epic Battles is that it will be too easy to get gold jewelry. These are the best items in the game, and deserve hard work to get. I'm not just an Epic Battle player, I enjoy some of the classic runs as well. Lost Temple is a very unique instance, and Bells of Dale is gorgeous. And I have high hopes for the Minas Tirith instances, if there are any. I would love to see an Epic Battle/Classic Instance mix in the future. Best case scenario: a raid where some players are mounted on the Pelannor Fields, fighting Oliphaunts, while others are driving the orcs out of the city, and others are in towers, firing catapults out into the field, helping the mounted players. Thanks for listening, and keep up a great podcast. PS. Anaconda was terrible.  

Layanor and Cari talk about Update 15, Halloween events, and how Layanor loves Mirror Halls. Audio Version: What we Did in Game Layanoro Moors 46.55%   Cari-Mac 3 Mans Tried Shadow of Mordor :/   News Letter from the Producer...

Layanor is back. He and Cari talk about the LOTRO Lore Livestream, and read some mail.   Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor Only touched on some PVP Got two first agers   Cari-Mac Questing Got Ali of Brandywine to level 100 Still in Blackroot Vale   News Frelorn is livestreaming. https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?554350-Frelorn-Q-amp-A-from-Livestreams&highlight=livestream   Link to Tolkien Professor Livestreaming Oct 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIz9ueiJhrk&feature=youtu.be Oct 1 1 EST   Info on Future updates from Rohan https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7246202#post7246202 We have separate updates in mind for the Siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of Pelennor Fields, so I'm not worried about missing major items there. Epic Battle may not be the only format, I expect us to use the right tool for the right job (Epic Battle, Landscape Quest, Instances, Skirmishes, etc...) Instead we're focusing on major highlights. In our current spot in the timeline some events are separated only by hours, so we have to take some liberties to maintain your flow through the story but also hit those high points. If anything entire updates now often cover a period of only a day or two, perhaps even hours. One of the things we're discussing now, for example, is the Battle of Osgiliath. Where we are in Gondor you'd arrive after the battle. Is it worth translocating you in time to experience it? How about the Ride of the Rohirrim? Ultimately I think we'll find solutions to add many of these key points. The team is passionate about the story, and we have many, many major events to relate now that Sauron's darkness is spreading over the world.   October 21 – November 2nd: Fall Festival November 7 - 9: Hobnanigans 14-16: 25% Mark Acq. Boost 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   3 Mans Iobers Peak XX Sword Halls   Community   Dwarvish (neo-khuzdul) lessons on the Laurelin Server. ------------------------------------------ These lessons are based on Tolkien's original Khuzdul, additions by linguist David Salo (the Khuzdul spoken in the Hobbit movies), the khuzdul seen in LoTRO and studies by The Dwarrow Scholar. This is a Dwarf ONLY event (it is a secret language after all).  So anyone that ever wanted to learn a bit of dwarvish, now is your chance! Not on Laurelin yet? don't have a dwarf char yet ? Roll yourself a dwarf and come on over to Laurelin... you will be most welcomed. When? Every month a new lesson, first lesson is on October 16th (thursday) at 3PM Server Time. (Each lesson will last about 90 minutes) Where? 5 Stonemirks street Ulfirth Home Stead, Thorin's Hall How? The event is a RP event and will thus be done entirely in RP fashion.  (one dwarf teaching others the language of their fathers - FYI some dwarves did not speak Khuzdul by the end of the Third age, so fits nicely with lore) - Voice chat will be used to learn how to pronounce the words (yet this is optional and not a requirement). Who? The lessons are made by and given by the Dwarrow Scholar http://dwarrowscholar.mymiddleearth.com  - attendees will receive class material (via email). - Every dwarf character is welcomed ((for all levels, even if you have never spoken a word of (neo-)khuzdul in your life.)) Sign-up is not required, merely be present on time. Questions ? Send an in game letter to Kandral on Laurelin Thank you and hope you'll enjoy the neo-khuzdul lessons! http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/kandral/media/learndwarvish_zps51675422.jpg.html    Letter from Kevin Bergman Well, after that long and painful journey of trying to earn a full platinum completion in the Deeping Wall raid, I can now say I've hit my stride, and have completed it multiple times!

Cari is joined by Amavocet this week. We talk about Update 15, and Extra Life. Audio Version: What We Did in Game Amavocet Getting alts to 100 Getting Virtues to 19   Cari-Mac Questing Leveling on my Mini   News   Frelorn is livestreaming. https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?554350-Frelorn-Q-amp-A-from-Livestreams&highlight=livestream   Tolkien Professor will be Livestreaming Oct 1 https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7239898#post7239898 Oct 1 1 EST Joining Chris Pearson   Notes from the Forums Update 15 is internal testing now More Character Slots will be available before Update 15 https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7242688#post7242688 October 3 - 5: Hobnanigans 21 – November 2nd: Fall Festival November 7 - 9: Hobnanigans 14-16: 25% Mark Acq. Boost 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   Community   Charity Auction for Extra Life https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?556626-LANDROVAL-Charity-Auction-Sat-Oct-25-at-4-00pm-EST-server-in-Raglan-Bree 10/25 Solve a Mystery Event Donate Directly to Sapience’s Page to receive the in game items.   MMO Reporter is joining Extra Life. We are playing Wildstar for 24 hours as Chua whatever we want to be. Donate at: http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=17007   Contact Information   Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.tv/mmoreporter   Cari  Twitter: @thecarimac Layanor  Twitter: @Layanor

Cari and Layanor reach Episode 250. We can't believe we made it this far.   Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor (L’Homme sans Pantalon!) 44.61% The Cari-Mac Questing Leveling on my Mini   News Frelorn is livestreaming. https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?554350-Frelorn-Q-amp-A-from-Livestreams&highlight=livestream   September Deals are Back https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?555425-LOTRO-Store-Fall-Deals!-Great-Deals-Every-weekend-in-September   Fall and Winter Festival Dates https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7239493#post7239493 Please keep in mind all of these dates should be considered tentative and they may slip and slide around to accommodate other things, and it should not be considered all inclusive as we may add additional events or dates. October 3 - 5: Hobnanigans 21 – November 2nd: Fall Festival November 7 - 9: Hobnanigans 14-16: 25% Mark Acq. Boost 21-23: Lootbox Weekend 26 – December 4th: 25% Bonus XP December 5 - 7 : Hobnanigans 12 – 14 : Buried Treasure 16- January 15th : Winter Festival   LOTR Polygon Article http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/23/6414775/lord-the-rings-tolkien-video-games   Community Studying Dress in LOTRO http://cstm.mymiddleearth.com/2014/09/studying-dress-in-lotro/ Iowa State University researcher is doing short interviews (30-45 minutes) via Skype with female LOTRO players on their thoughts about dress and fashion in the game.  Participants should be women 18 years or older.  If interested, email: lotrodress@gmail.com.   LOTRO Theater Night https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?555951-LANDROVAL-Theater-Night-Sunday-December-14-4-30-5-30pm-EDT&utm_content=buffer83b32&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Join us at Windy Acres Ranch for Theater Night on Sunday, December 14th from 4:30pm to 5:30pm EST/servertime on Landroval.   Our history of LOTR   Contact Information: Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.tv/mmoreporter   Cari  Twitter: @thecarimac Layanor  Twitter: @Layanor

  Cari and Laynor are back!!! Turbine decided to release news while we were on vacation and at PAX.   Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor (L’Homme sans Pantalon!) BrandyJam! Did some moors on the vacation. Still not 50%   ...

  Cari and Layanor have a couple letters and one epic reading and talk about horses. Audio Version: What We Did in Game Layanor (L’Homme sans Pantalon!) Moors - 41% Cari Nothing. I didn’t play any video games this week.   News Log In Issues for Some? https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7225554#post7225554 Some Steeds are Permanently in the Store https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?&postid=7223276#post7223276 Steed of the Khundolar Steed of Nightwood Steed of Dagorlad Obsidian Steed Steed of Rhûn Steed of the Iron Hills Steed of Esgaroth Steed of the Greenwood Steed of the Citadel Steed of the Withywindle Snow-beast Steed Westfold Steed Steed of the Kingstead 3-Mans Monday’s at 9PST 12 EST. Will be on twitch replay. Community BrandyJam is coming! https://brandyjam.wordpress.com Letter from WarriorPoetX Pulling myself from the mire of the battlefield- I have returned from the great war of 246 episodes. The words "Point of Screwage" has been chiseled into my armor- blackened by the fires of destruction and bloodied with the failed will of my many foes. I am a Champion of Eriador, master of arms and harbinger of retribution. From Bree to Mirkwood, I have traveled. Over the bridges of Rivendell and under the golden leaves of Lothlorien- beyond the hills of Dunland and across the plains of Rohan; these places I have seen- and I have conquered. All around me, the echoes of LOTRO Reporter are heard- like great eagles above; wings spread wide among the thunderous clouds. "Get off my lawn!" "Get off my lawn!" "Get off my lawn!"... these words pierce the air, sharply penetrating the morale of the Enemy. Onward Genghis One! Onward Genghis Two! Drive forth deep. Find your honor and your ... eh, wait- where'd they go? A man I have found, broken and scarred ... twigs and leaves from a bush protruding from various elements of his person. Come back I shouted as he ran ... come back oh Intrepid one ... for maybe he can find the missing Warden's  pants so that we may save Layanor's chair from further Dread +7. Was a pleasure guys listening to all 246 episodes thus far, it was like a time capsule into the past and a great method to embrace a part of this great community that I had for so long was not aware. I know you all- Chris, Bill (and his wife whose name I fail to remember, doh), Sallennia, Layanor and dear Cari are just fans like me ... but I think that is what makes LOTRO Reporter and the MMO Network so special. At the end of the day, we are all just big geeks and we love it. So, thank you again ... Taylem on the Elendilmir server ... Letter from Kazren: Hi, Cari & Layanor, I just wanted to vent about those annoying things in LOTRO.   I'm trying to get a cappy up and he just entered Eastemnent.  No sooner does he start towards Edoras than a band of mobs attacked him. Not one or two, FIVE!  Of course, on his heavy war steed, he couldn't run away fast enough, but they should really do something about that.  Welcome to East Rohan. :( I sent Cari a hint about the choice in the Shire.  Halros asks us if he should stay to guard the Shire or go with the Grey Company.  My friend and I were playing through together. I chose for him to stay, my friend chose for him to go.  At some point,after we reached level where Wildmore, we were taken back to the outcome of that choice.  My character had a little adventure in the shire with Halros, my friend had a very difficult instance with him, but I do not know the details. Have a good week.  I look forward to every show.  Have fun at PAX.   Contact Information: Email: lotro.reporter@gmail.com Twitter: @lotroreporter Facebook: LOTRO Reporter Voicemail: 616-666-6778 or the widget on the right side of the screen when you visit the site. YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/mmoreporternetwork www.lotroreporter.com www.twitch.

Cari and Layanor talk about a new way to earn TP, Brandyjam, and some awesome listener letters. Audio Version:  What We Did in Game Layanor (L’Homme sans Pantalon!) Moors - 39.93%   Cari Leveled on both Brandy and Landy Level 99 and 96 respectively. The bounties are fun.   News   Did You Know Layanor’s Turbine Point Factory   Community BrandyJam is coming! https://brandyjam.wordpress.com   Letter from WarriorPoetX First off, Layanor ... I should bonk you for suggesting a monetary cost for a new hobby. VIPs, etc would explode if they did such a thing ... Also, no bandages- that is what food is for. It would be viewed as unnecessary by Turbine. Hobbies are meant to be fun (even tho fishing needs some changes to be fun such as fishing up a big fish that tries to eat you). Suggested Hobbies: Bug Hunting - using a insect net to collect rare spawn bugs throughout the world. Bugs are added to a  plague which does into your house as a display item. Can have numerous types to catch! I believe someone suggested this around episode 230ish. Golf - DUH Darts - Boards would be located in all Inns and Taverns throughout Middle Earth. Juggling - Can juggle different items the better you get ... pins, swords, torches, Cari ... Carpentry - This would be a detailed hobby that involves studying recipes and craft to create some housing items ranging from beds, rugs, tables, etc. May be only really welcome if they redo housing to accommodate the increase in housing items. Pant Banditry - Stealing Layanor's pants and hiding them through Middle-Earth. - Hope these helps ... - James (warriorpoetex) Ok ignore my first letter it is 100% wrong ... I just did a series of tests over a few accounts I have and swapping combos of characters and specs. The colors are absolutely  class based. Layanor must be smoking bad pipe-weed if he saw two Captains with different colors. Champion - Red Hunter - Green Minstrel - Yellow Captain - Purple Guardian - Orange Warden - Blue Rune-Keeper - Light Yellow Lore-master - Teal Burglar - Grey Specs, raid assist, etc make no difference with the colors far as I can tell. I know this is late, but just finished listening to this and I wanted to "gently" slap Layanor. LOTRO was never a raiding game as most people never ever even was able to touch Helegrod. More did the Rift due to the lesser required people; but even this was a small percentage. MMOs were NOT just about leveling to raid. This was a recent era development that was branded by World of Warcraft. Prior to WoW's rise to power, MMOs such as Everquest, Dark Age of Camelot has very very little in the ways of raiding compared to other content. While EQ1 pioneered what WoW would later create as the "end game", defining an MMO purely on the basis of leveling to raid is extremely detrimental to the journey of a good game. From 1 to MAX level in many games is often stale and swift, banking on the saying "the real game starts at MAX level". Which IMO is a horrible way to have a game ... as a result, those games- even WoW have VERY high turn around times as in, play for 1 to 3 months and quit for half a year. Then, go back and rinse and repeat. While LOTRO may have a smaller player base; this game by far I believe has more players that play longer stints than other games. Free to play is a factor perhaps, but even prior to F2P this was the case. But Layanor was spot on about people just wanting to BE in the world of Lord of the Rings ... I love solo/duo/3-man and 6-mans ... while the raids were fun and I've done them all- they were not nearly as fulfilling as the other content just due to the fact that a raiding environment is just higher stress and sometimes toxic. With the right mechanics, a 2, 3 or 6 man can be just as challenging as a raid for the group size. This is what I am very in favor of.   Contact Information: Email: lotro.