Hi everyone! - New member
Hey all, this is Paanno and I was accepted to the kin (probationary) earlier today.
I'm new to LOTRO and only downloaded this game about two weeks ago - I rolled with a Dwarf Guardian because dwarfs are cool, tanks are cool, so naturally a dwarf tank was the perfect pick. Right now I mostly play this game alongside my wife (a Rune-Keeper Elf) who is also new to the game - currently we are level 28'ish and are doing a mix of questing in the Lone-Lands/North-Downs and completing deeds in lower-level areas. It blows my mind just how many zones there are in this game and I cant wait to explore them all! Evendim is probably next on our list.
I've played many MMOs in the past (Guild Wars 1, 2, WoW, OS Runescape, New World, Runes of Magic, it's just too many to list really). To me, MMOs are as much about the gameplay as they are about being a social platform to connect with others. Unfortunately, over the years I feel many MMOs have slowly drifted away from this and towards optimization, hardcore endgame content and PvP - if something doesnt involve advancing a skill or gear, there's just no room for it in most MMO communities. I heard great things about this game and its community and despite it being a slightly older game I'm having a blast so far and am happy to call this my new MMO home.
A bit about myself: I'm 30 living in Alberta, married and with two cats. I work in a full-time WFH position (IT) so you might see me online during the day when work is slow, or not see me at all if there's lots of work to be done. I'm embarrassed to say that while watching the LOTR Trilogy is an annual ritual of sorts for me and I must've watched them 20x at least by now, I've yet to read any of the books. However I finally bought the book set last week and I'm planning on getting started on them very soon.
Welcome to Second Breakfast! The name and the free to play option is what attracted me to this game. The stories, the views, the atmosphere, and all there is to explore, all kept me coming back and prompted me to VIP (not the advertising for it). The community, the friends I've made, and continued effort by the devs, are what will keep me here until the game goes black.
The only thing I'll point out that you will notice on your own anyway at some point, is that this game is based on the books, and not the movies, and so features a whole lot more than what you've seen in the films. The movies are awesome, for sure, but you'll find many things slightly different here. You've probably already noticed that there's Tom Bombadil and the Barrows, and how Weathertop is soooo much bigger in lotro than in the movies. You don't need to have read the books to enjoy it, but, you will find quite a few more "Oh, this place!", or "Oh, this person!" here in game with that knowledge.
Other than that, hope you have fun playing with us! We're a strange group, seems you'll fit right in. :)
Okay so anyone who holds up MMORPGS as much for the social/human connection as for the engameplay, I can only say: "Welcome home."
Dedicated "group" events tend to be on Fri/Sat/Sun, but pipe up in chat, and somebody's always doing *something.* Also get on our Discord (we're a lot more "live time" active there than here on the website).
Echoing what Luven says above, the books do burn the oil very much at their own pace, and there will be differences, but they're so very worth reading. Some characters & places do get more "screen" time development than what you'd expect; you may even find some screen characters got "done dirty" a bit compared to their original forms (won't say much; but one is just such an excellent person on page) And having read them, I think, really also illustrates just what a thorough, comprehensive job both Jackson & Co., and the devs of this game did in adapting as much of the overarching theme and as many of the interconnected threads as they did; it's a stunning feat on both fronts.
See you in game!
Vraia is a Big Fluffy Bear.
She is the housemate of ... Applecider (Hobbit Bard) / Elladahn (Elf Champion) / Ellrohier (Elf Hunter) / Anarlossë (Human Burglar)
Home is 1 Pleasant St, Buckbank, Shire Homesteads. Drop in!
Antics, LOTRO Art & Fanfic! -- https://greendwagon.wordpress.com -- https://www.deviantart.com/anarlosse/gallery
Hello and welcome to the kin!
LOTRO isn't about getting to the end game, its about the journey and developers of the game know this and will keep it that way as its what many players like, its also play how you want there really is no forcing here much to do anything you don't want to do, so enjoy the game and will see you around soon!
Hello Twinnie! I say that because we have a lot in common. I'm also 30yo, Alberta, IT, and yearly LOTR marathon watcher. Crazy!
I send you a mail to say hello in case you don't check back here :) But welcome to a wonderful group!
Hope to see you around!
Lilta
The world builders did an awesome job with this game. The sights and sounds still amaze me after all these years. The book quests (Epic quests) will weave a story and take you to the next area while giving decent items like weapons and armor.
Please ask anyone in kin if you have questions or need help. The game seems complicated at first but you will soon get the hang of it, if you haven't already.
My best hint is the delete key selects the nearest object. Useful for finding quest objects or a node inside a tree!
I've also had the pleasure of pair-leveling as (bear) pocket tank for an RK. It was loads of fun, and I hope you and Mrs. Paanno have a blast with it! If you feel comfortably at home here when you get your blue flag, your lovely partner may wish to know that family of members in good standing are waved right through the door by long-standing policy.
I find it interesting and entertaining that Standing Stone has continued to add content aimed at leveling characters rather than endgame - there are now multiple paths to choose from in several level ranges. And again, once you're a full member in good standing, you're encouraged to bring in alts. So you can try them all.
Rheniogil the Lutenist, The Rakes of Kilkarill