The Blameless Burglar of the Yule Festival

My burglar finally left the shores of Lake Evendim for the chilly mountain retreat of Winter-home in Frostbluff and earned herself a Winter Elk and an Ornate Winter Dress. She also stood up to the corrupt mayor and saved the villagers from hunger, unemployment and poverty.

The Winter Elk mount

Ornate Winter Dress (original colour)

Ornate Winter Dress (dyed navy)

My burglar normally wears black but I like this outfit on her. The elk reminds her of Mirkwood and her hopes of returning to Dale soon, so I think she will keep this combination for a while.

There are some other new cosmetic items, such as a Woodland Crown, some puffy shoulders (the Fur Mantle), a tunic outfit (Ornate Jacket and Trousers) and the cloak (Ornate Winter Cloak) but I'm not too keen on them. The Snowball Arena looks like it would be a fun housing addition - it has a cooldown and the flavour text says "Gather your friends for a snowball fight" so I think it's interactive - if only I had a huge yard for it. It would be great for kin houses.

Been there done that, looks like Yule Festival is over for me. Well almost - a few other characters would like the elk mount too.

I was just reminded by LOTRO-Wiki that there are some Yule-themed quests in Thorin's Hall Inn and the Festival Garden in Ered Luin, The Festival Grounds in Bree-land, and the Party Tree and Hobbiton in the Shire. Some of the quests are once-only and some are repeatable, but if you need more festival tokens to buy some cool new items, check them out.

Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas and holiday season, and best wishes for 2018.

Developer's Letter: Beyond Mordor

We've just got a letter from the Executive Producer of LOTRO and I'm excited. We're going to Northern Mirkwood and Dale and Erebor and Laketown and Thranduil's Court! There's all these places on the map of Middle Earth we've heard about but never seen and maybe next year, we'll get to see some of them. I can't wait! I love exploring and visiting new places.

Also, I have a burglar from Dale who got caught stealing jewellery and brought shame to her family, so she got sent to live with an aunt in Bree. She's been trying to make up for her past but she never thought she'd get to see her hometown or family again. Now I'll have to level her up so she can go home a hero!

It's great to hear there will be new additions to the Anniversary event and Summer Festival and the quest-line that began with Bingo Boffin at Harvestmath will continue. I love holiday events but they need to keep updating so they don't get boring "been there, done that". It sounds like we'll be able to get an elk mount at the Yule festival, and if so, that will definitely be on my wish-list. First horses and goats, then reindeer and now elks - mounts are slowly getting more variety.

There's a new raid coming out before the end of the year, The Abyss of Mordath. I haven't raided for a long time, but it sounds like it has a really interesting story behind it that makes me want to see it.

One disappointment is that there are lots of new housing decorations being added, but many will be locked behind the raid and Gorgoroth lootboxes. Grrr. I'm grateful that housing is getting more attention, but I wish nice decorations were more readily available - they're mostly either gated behind limited time holiday events, high level content or the LOTRO store. Why can't low level characters enjoy decorating their houses too? The Housing Furnishers in the housing neighbourhoods have a very limited range. We don't all have the patience of elves for slowly collecting one piece of nice furniture now and then over years and years. I think I've been spoilt by housing dimensions in Rift, as no other MMO housing system I've seen has been anywhere near as comprehensive or accessible.

Musicians will finally be able to play the fiddle! Imagine the concerts as bards all over Middle Earth embrace the instrument and compose new songs! Will it have any special effects for minstrels? Will woodworkers be able to craft fiddles? Will this be the beginning of a new golden age for Middle Earth music?!?

Oh and Dwarves and Hobbits will be getting their avatar makeovers. Some of my women and elves weren't very happy with their new look, but I've either got used to it now or visited the barber to make small adjustments. Overall I don't think the makeovers were worth it; it's not like the characters went from looking awful to looking amazing. More appearance options would have been just as good as changing the base avatars. I guess it was something that players demanded for a long time and the developers felt like they had to do it.

Well, it seems there is a lot planned for 2018. I really need to get a few characters through Mordor so they can continue the journey beyond. And I need to level up my burglar - she's only 30. Maybe I can do a levelling marathon over the Christmas holidays? I can't believe this year is almost over!  

Fall Festival and Bingo's Return

There's been some drama this week with Update 21.2. This update includes two new Mordor dungeons, new max level gear, a new improved Mount Collection interface, new filtering options for quests and items, removal of the crafting quest required to unlock Artisan crafting, and many other fixes and quality of life changes.

The drama is about the new max level gear having the wrong price and/or stats. This is being fixed, but some players are not happy with how it has been handled. Standing Stone Games decided to offer everyone 50 Mithril Coins per account by redeeming the code MORDORMITHRIL at the LOTRO Store before October 22.

The Harvestmath/Fall Festival has arrived with some nice new goodies. The Autumn Leafmail armour set (hauberk or dress, shoulders, shield and a hooded or unhooded cloak) and the new steed look great and matches the outfit too with the pale golden leaf theme.

Autumn Leafmail Dress and Cloak

Steed of the Eldar Autumn

Bingo Boffin makes a return with an interesting new spooky quest-line! I hope there is a follow-up - it left me curious to know more about the Spectral Vision's threat.

Bingo Boffin telling tales around the campfire

My Burglar got the Steed of Gloaming Autumn and I'm impressed - at night its eyes and the pattern on the blanket glow orange, which looks awesome. Only 30 Fall Festival tokens too!

Steed of the Gloaming Autumn

Steed of the Gloaming Autumn (glows in the dark!)

I'm very happy about the new improved Mounts Collection interface. Finally we can see all the mounts available, preview what they look like and find out how to get them in-game.

Updated Mounts Collection interface

There seem to have been quite a few crafting changes, particularly for Doomfold crafting, such as making daily crafting recipes available to more professions that use those materials, increasing stack-sizes for food, reducing the amount of daily-gated materials needed for jewellery, and making Doomfold materials drop from some Mordor mobs and items that were previously giving Anórien materials. Removing the quest for unlocking Artisan crafting will eliminate a roadblock for many new players who get Expert Proficiency then don't understand why they can't progress any more. While I'd like to see more crafting quests, I think they should be optional and perhaps reward rare recipes for cosmetic skins or "flavour" items that are not essential but are fun to collect.

Apart from the new gear drama, I think there's a lot of good stuff in this update. I especially liked seeing Bingo return for the festival - it's like catching up with an old friend.

LOTRO's 10th Anniversary

Happy 10th Anniversary LOTRO!

The scavenger hunt starts at the Party Tree

The Anniversary event runs from the 20th of April to the 8th of May.

To celebrate 10 years, there are new special scavenger hunt quest chains (that may be difficult to complete for characters less than level 105 as it takes you all over Middle Earth), with some nice rewards for completing all 10 sections of each scavenger hunt.

Lower level characters can still take part in the normal Anniversary activities including fireworks at the Methel-stage in the Shire, fireworks in Bree, lost invitations in Bree, the gift-giving quest chain (Bree-land, The Shire, Thorin's Gate), the beer-fights in Thorin's Hall Festival Arena, and horse races.

There is also a new dragon themed steed (war-steed appearances also available) and matching dragon-themed cosmetic armour set to buy with Anniversary Tokens.

Steed of the Unflagging Dragon

Mount and Cosmetic Armour

Unflagging Dragon Cosmetic Armour on a Dwarf

Unflagging Dragon Cosmetic Armour on a Woman

To help you (and me) with the scavenger hunt, here are some tips on where to go. Note this is a work in progress as I complete the scavenger hunt too.

*Updated 17 June 2017*
The scavenger hunt runs until the 13th of July with quests unlocked weekly. All 10 years of  scavenger hunts are available now. An anniversary token barterer has been added in Bree for the remainder of the scavenger hunt. Have fun!

*Updated 22 April 2018*
Year 11 has been added to the scavenger hunt.

The Path of the Fellowship

Complete all ten years worth of Tales to earn 3 anniversary tokens, 3 ashenslade green dyes, 3 lórien gold dyes, and the title "Devoted to Company".

Year 1 Tales: Frodo

• Collect Remembrances in Bilbo's Home - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Pat Grip and Fang at Farmer Maggot's farm - near Stock, The Shire
• Eat a meal at Tom Bombadil's House - The Old Forest, Bree-land
• Dance on a table at the Prancing Pony - Bree, Bree-land
• Faint at the ranger's camp near Weathertop - Candaith's Encampment, The Lone-lands
• Talk to Frodo in Bilbo's Room - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Sit on the chair at Amon Hen - near Parth Galen, East Rohan
• Defeat some Fell-wights in the Dead Marshes - accessed via Cave of the Avorrim, West Gondor
• Collect Remembrances in Henneth Annûn - Henneth Annûn, North Ithilien

Year 2 Tales: Sam

• Bow to Gaffer Gamgee - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Eavesdrop at the window in Bag End - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Fetch a small beer for Rosie Cotton - Bywater, The Shire
• Challenge Old Man Willow - The Old Forest, Bree-land
• Visit Bill the Pony at the Prancing Pony - Bree, Bree-land
• Defeat some Neekerbreekers in Midgewater Marsh - Midgewater Marsh, Bree-land
• Talk to Sam in Rivendell about Oliphaunts - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Talk to Sam on Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien - Cerin Amroth, Lothlorien
• Shake your fist at Gollum near the Anduin - Thinglad, The Great River
• Cook a stew with 3 taters and 2 coneys (frypan provided)

Year 3 Tales: Boromir

• Talk at the Spire of Meeting in Rivendell - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Use the Chronicle of Events to complete The Horn of Gondor (must have completed Vol III, Book 7, Chapter 8) - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Stride into the Redhorn Snowfall - Redhorn Pass, Eregion
• Collect Remembrances of being led blindfolded from Echad Andestal to Cerin Amroth - Echad Andestal, Lothlórien
• Collect Remembrances in Pre-battle Osgiliath - Osgiliath, Eastern Gondor (one near Gates of the Sun, one on the Great Bridge)
• Find part of Boromir's Horn amongst the reeds near the Anduin north of Cair Andros - Talath Anor, Old Anórien (NE of Parth Lisc)
• Kneel before the Steward's Chair in the Tower of Ecthelion - Minas Tirith, Old Anórien
• Find the plaque of the former Steward Boromir in Minas Tirith - Minas Tirith, Old Anórien (1st tier near the Foodmongers' Market)
• Defeat some foes in Old Anórien - Old Anórien

Year 4 Tales: Aragorn

• Smoke in the Prancing Pony to the right of the stage - Bree, Bree-land (at the table near the minstrel on stage)
• Collect Remembrances up on Weathertop - Weathertop, The Lone-lands
• Talk to Arwen in Rivendell - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Talk to Aragorn in Rivendell to relive the reforging of Narsil - Rivendell, The Trollshaws (The Blade that was Broken quest chain)
• Defeat some foes in Annúminas - Annúminas, Evendim
• Pick an Elanor flower at Cerin Amroth - Cerin Amroth, Lothlórien
• Find Pippin's brooch south of the Springview Estate in Rohan - Norcrofts, East Rohan (50.2S, 56.1W, near the bottom of a small bank/slope)
• Collect Remembrances at the Paths of the Dead - The Dark Door (near Dunharrow), West Rohan (x1 remembrance), and Paths of the Dead, Western Gondor (x2 remembrances)
• Visit the statue of Thorongil in Pelargir - West Pelargir, Central Gondor
• View the marching plans inside the tent at Aragorn's Pavilion - Aragorn's Pavilion, March of the King (after-battle)
  

Year 5 Tales: Merry

• Carry packs to the ponies in front of Bag End - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Visit Buckleberry Ferry - near the Brandywine River; east of Stock, The Shire or south Buckland, Bree-land
• Collect Remembrances at Brandy Hall - Buckland, Bree-land
• Collect Remembrances in Bonfire Glade - The Old Forest, Bree-land
• Study the maps in Elrond's house - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Drink some of Treebeard's ent-draught in Wellinghall - Entwood (Fangorn Forest), West Rohan
• Enjoy a meal in the gatehouse of Flooded Isengard - Isengard (after), Gap of Rohan (accessible from Derndingle or Helm's Deep in West Rohan)
• Thank Éowyn in the Rohirrim camp at Dunharrow - Dunharrow, West Rohan
• Mourn at Snowmane's Howe - behind Aragorn's Pavilion, March of the King
• Talk to Merry in the High Hall (after the battle) - Halls of Healing, Minas Tirith (after-battle), March of the King

Year 6 Tales: Pippin

• Collect Remembrances at the Great Smial - Tuckburough, The Shire
• Steal Farmer Maggot's mushrooms - near Stock, The Shire
• Enjoy a meal at the Dead Spire in the Barrow-downs - Southern Barrow-downs, Bree-land
• Enjoy a meal at the Prancing Pony - Bree, Bree-land
• Enjoy a meal in the Hall of Fire - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Look down the well in the Chamber of the Crossroads - Chamber of the Crossroads, Moria
• Gaze into the Orthanc-stone at the eastern foot of Dol Baran - Dol Baran, Heathfell, Dunland
• Salute Bergil in pre-battle Minas Tirith - Worker's Tier (1st tier), Minas Tirith, Old Anórien
• Collect Remembrances on the 7th tier of pre-battle Minas Tirith - The Citadel, Minas Tirith, Old Anórien
• Faint on top of one of the Slag Hills - Slag Hills, The Wastes (one of the two large, low, flat hilltops near the milestone) 

Year 7 Tales: Legolas

• Dance in the Caradhras Snowfall - Redhorn Pass, Eregion
• Hug Gimli in Cerin Amroth - Cerin Amroth, Lothlórien
• Look from the top tower of Ost Galadh - Ost Galadh, Mirkwood
• Spot a Nazgûl flying over the Anduin from the shore of the Great River - near Rohirrim camp, Thinglad, Great River (23.8S, 60.2W - an interactive patch of light says to "Look Up")
• Defeat orcs in Rohan - East or West Rohan
• Defeat orcs in Epic Battles - Helm's Deep or Minas Tirith (instance finder)
• Resist a gull's cries on the piers of Pelargir - Pelargir, Central Gondor
• Defeat a mûmak - Pelennor Fields, Old Anórien; near Lân Mefam or The Crossroads in South Ithilien, or in Dome of the Stars instance (can be scaled down to level 50)

Year 8 Tales: Gimli

• Collect Rembrances around Rivendell - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Bow to Gloin in the Misty Mountains - Gloin's Camp, The Misty Mountains
• Read the book upon the stone in Mazarbul - Chamber of Mazarbul, Moria (north of 21st Hall)
• Look at the Mirrormere from Mekhem-bizhru - Nanduhirion, Lothlórien
• Hug Legolas at Cerin Amroth - Cerin Amroth, Lothlórien
• Talk to Galadriel at the house of Celeborn - Caras Galadhon, Lothlórien
• Collect Remembrances from the East Wall to Eomer's Vengeance - The Norcrofts and Entwash Vale, East Rohan (follow the river from south of Elthengels, near the Ancient Tomb and the East Wall cliffs, towards the lake at Minas Rant (3x Remembrances), then head north from the lake towards Springview Estate (1x Remembrance on hill overlooking SW burned fields), head NW towards the big hill between Eaworth and Wyrmdelf in Entwash Vale (1x Remembrance on hilltop), then follow the road from Eaworth towards Thornhope Stable-master (2x Remembrances), and finally head to Eomer's Vengeance on a hill near the Eaves of Fangorn Forest (1x Remembrance))  
• Defeat orcs in Epic Battles - Helm's Deep (instance finder)

Year 9 Tales: Gandalf

• Set off fireworks near the Party Tree - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Scold Barliman Butterbur at the Prancing Pony - Bree, Bree-land
• Talk to Radagast at Agamaur - Barad Dhorn, Agamaur, The Lone-lands
• Read from the Chronicle of Events and complete instance: The Wizard's Vale - Rivendell, The Trollshaws (Vol. 3, Book 4)
• Complete skirmish: Ford of Bruinen (instance finder)
• Meditate at the Hollin Gate - Walls of Moria, Eregion
• Collect Remembrances at Zirakzigil (1x, Zirakzigil), The Endless Stair (1x, Foundations of Stone) and the Bridge of Khazad-dûm (2x, Nud-melek) - Moria
• Find Gandalf in Fangorn - Treebeard's Hill, Eaves of Fangorn, East Rohan
• Shake your fist before the throne of Meduseld - Edoras, West Rohan
• Pat Shadowfax in the High Stables of Minas Tirith - High Stables, Master's Tier 6, Minas Tirith, Old Anórien (near Dome of the Sun)

Year 10 Tales: Bilbo

• Stand on a table at the Party Tree and give a talk - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Check what is on the mantelpiece at Bag's End - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Sing to Bilbo in the Hall of Fire in Rivendell - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Find the wooden box under Bilbo's bed at Elrond's House - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Visit the Stone-trolls' Glade in the Trollshaws - Stone-trolls' Glade, The Trollshaws
• Talk to Grimbeorn at Vindurhal in the Misty Mountains - Vindurhal, The Misty Mountains
• Acquire one of Bilbo's buttons in Goblintown - Goblintown, The Misty Mountains
• Think of another riddle in Gollum's Cave - Goblintown, The Misty Mountains
• Defeat some spiders in Mirkwood - Mirkwood
• Collect Remembrances in The Bells of Dale - The Bells of Dale (instance finder)

Ten Years of Travels

Complete all ten years worth of travels and earn 3 anniversary tokens, 3 belegaer blue dyes, 3 lavender dyes, and the title "Wanderer of Middle Earth".

Year 1 Travels: Towering Monuments

• Collect 20 Remembrances from near the monuments
• Visit the Bounder's Bounty Statue - Michel Delving, The Shire
• Visit the Falconer's Tower - Fields of Fornost, North Downs
• Visit the High King's Crossing - High King's Crossing, Evendim
• Visit the Giant's Needle - The Giant Halls, The Misty Mountains
• Visit the Gate of Shadows - Carn Dûm, Angmar
• Visit the Dwarf-lords' Gate - The Great Delving, Moria
• Visit the Gate of the Seven Fathers - The Flaming Deeps, Moria
• Visit the Argonath - The East Wall, East Rohan
• Visit the Stone of Erech - Blackroot Vale, West Gondor
• Visit the Cross-roads - The Cross-roads, South Ithilien

Year 2 Travels: Tavern Crawl, Eriador

• Collect 22 Remembrances from taverns (1-3 at each tavern)
• Have a drink of ale at each tavern
• Visit Thorin's Hall Inn - Thorin's Hall, Ered Luin
• Visit the Bird and Baby Inn - Michel Delving, The Shire
• Visit The Ivy Bush - Hobbiton, The Shire
• Visit The Green Dragon - Baywater, The Shire
• Visit The Floating Log Inn - The Frogmoors, The Shire
• Visit The Plough and Stars - Brockenborings, The Shire
• Visit The Golden Perch - Stock, The Shire
• Visit The Prancing Pony - Bree, Bree-land
• Visit The Comb and Wattle Inn - Combe, Bree-land
• Visit The Forsaken Inn - Forsaken Inn, The Lone-lands

Year 3 Travels: Heights & Depths

• Collect 20 Remembrances from high and low places
• Visit the top of High King's Crossing - High King's Crossing, Evendim
• Visit Men Helch - Southern High Pass, The Misty Mountains
• Visit the top of the Redhorn Pass - Redhorn Pass, Eregion
• Visit the Moria well - Chamber of the Crossroads, Moria
• Visit the top of Zirakzigil - Zirakzigil, Moria (near Celebros, NE of Broken Cleft)
• Visit the bottom of the Endless Stair - Foundations of Stone, Moria
• Visit the Bridge of Khazad-dûm - Nud-melek, Moria
• Visit the highest flet in Lothlórien - House of Celeborn, Caras Galadhon, Lothlórien
• Visit Nár's Peak - Thrór's Coomb, Enedwaith
• Visit the tip of the prow at Minas Tirith - Minas Tirith, Old Anórien

Year 4 Travels: Orc Clans

• Collect 40 Remembrances from orcs
• Defeat Tarkrîp orcs - Northern Bree-fields, Bree-land; Nain Enidh, The Lone-lands
• Defeat White Hand orcs - Annunlos/Glumhollow, The Lone-lands; Redhorn Lodes, Moria
• Defeat Ongbúrz orcs - Fields of Fornost/Norbury Gates, The North Downs
• Defeat Blogmal orcs - Fornost, The North Downs; Ram Dúath, Angmar
• Defeat Krahjarn orcs - Mor Maudhúl, Angmar; Mirobel, Eregion
• Defeat Ghâsh-hai orcs - The Flaming Deeps, Moria
• Defeat Globsnaga orcs - Redhorn Lodes/Foundations of Stone, Moria
• Defeat Bûrzthrâng orcs - Gathbúrz, Mirkwood

Year 5 Travels: Bodies of Water

• Collect 6 Remembrances from each of these waterways
• Visit the shores of Nen Harn - NE Bree-land
• Visit the shores of Lake Evendim - Evendim
• Visit the shores of the Forochel Ice Bay - Sûri-kylä, Forochel
• Visit the Ford of Bruinen - Ford of Bruinen, The Trollshaws
• Visit the Water-works - The Water-works, Moria
• Visit the Foundations of Stone - Foundations of Stone, Moria
• Visit the shores of the Mirrormere - Nanduhirion, Lothlórien
• Visit the shores of Nen Hithoel - The East Wall, East Rohan
• Visit the shores of the Lake Isingmere - Wildermore
• Visit the shores of the Lake Gilrain - NE of Linhir, Lebennin, Central Gondor

Year 6 Travels: Tavern Crawl, Rhovanion

• Collect 20 Remembrances from taverns
• Have a drink of ale at each tavern
• Visit the Haunted Inn - Dourstocks, Mirkwood
• Visit Stangard Tavern - Stangard, The Great River
• Visit Harwick Tavern - Harwick, The Wold, East Rohan
• Visit Floodwend Inn - Floodwend, The Wold, East Rohan
• Visit Elthengels Inn - Elthengels, The Norcrofts, East Rohan
• Visit Snowbourn Tavern - Snowbourn, The Sutcrofts, East Rohan
• Visit Aldburg Tavern - Aldburg, Eastfold, West Rohan
• Visit Beaconwatch Tavern - Beaconwatch, Eastfold, West Rohan
• Visit Woodhurst Tavern - Woodhurst, Stonedeans, West Rohan
• Visit The Mud - Woodhurst, Stonedeans, West Rohan (lower Woodhurst, opposite the pond)

Year 7 Travels: Places of Battle

• Collect 6 Remembrances from each of these battle-fields
• Visit The Greenfields - The Greenfields, The Shire
• Visit Fornost - Fornost, North Downs
• Visit Nan Curunir - Isengard, Gap of Rohan, Dunland
• Visit Fords of Isen - Westfold, West Rohan
• Visit Helm's Deep - Helm's Deep, West Rohan
• Visit the Dead Marshes - accessed via Cave of the Avorrim, Western Gondor (3 remembrances heading west from Artamir's Camp towards the orcish Marshland Outpost [30.2S, 11.5W / 29.7S, 12.3W / 29.5S, 13.1W], and 3 remembrances to the east, south and west of the big rocky hill Haudh Aîr [28.8S, 16.1W / 29.4S, 16.3W / 29.3S, 16.2W])
• Visit Pelargir - Pelargir, Central Gondor
• Visit Osgiliath - Osgiliath, Eastern Gondor
• Visit Pelennor - Pelennor Fields, Old Anórien

Year 8 Travels: Tombs and Haunts

• Collect Remembrances from each of these haunted barrows
• Visit Hautham - Northern Barrow-downs, Bree-land
• Visit the Barrow of Ringdor - Northern Barrow-downs, Bree-land
• Visit the Barrow of Taradan - Northern Barrow-downs, Bree-land
• Visit Gwantham - Southern Barrow-downs, Bree-land
• Visit Haudh Iarchith - Southern Barrow-downs, Bree-land
• Visit Lhe Colvarn - Lich Bluffs, Enedwaith (entrance is a hole in the ground at Drûg-haniad, east of the road [74.3S, 15.3W])
• Visit the Ancient Tomb - Norcrofts, East Rohan
• Visit the Paths of the Dead - Paths of the Dead, Western Gondor

Year 9 Travels: Middle-Earth Curiosities

• Collect Remembrances from each of these sites
• Visit the snowman of Ered Luin - Ered Luin
• Visit the tallest cow in Buckland - Buckland, Bree-land
• Visit the cat house in Bree - Bree, Bree-land
• Visit the turtle house in Bree - Bree, Bree-land
• Visit the sand castle in - Evendim
• Visit the amateur ice-skater in Forochel - Forochel
• Visit the rabbit in Ost Dunhoth - Ost Dunhoth, Lich Bluffs, Enedwaith
• Visit the rabbit cave in The Great River - The Great River
• Visit the peculiar home in Eastfold - Eastfold, West Rohan
• Visit the squirrel village in Eastfold - Eastfold, West Rohan

Year 10 Travels: Tavern Crawl, Gondor

• Collect 18 Remembrances from taverns
• Drink a pint at each tavern
• Visit Lothgobel Tavern - Lothgobel, Lamedon, Western Gondor
• Visit the Scholar's Tavern - Dol Amroth, Western Gondor 
• Visit Ethring Tavern - Ethring, Ringló Vale, Central Gondor
• Visit Forlong's Hall - Arnach, Lossarnach, Eastern Gondor
• Visit The Wheel and Cask - Worker's Tier (1st tier), Minas Tirith, Old Anórien 
• Visit The Mûmak and Keep - Soldier's Tier (2nd tier), Minas Tirith, Old Anórien
• Visit The Haven - Craftsmen's Tier (3rd tier), Minas Tirith, Old Anórien
• Visit The Merry Swan - Craftsmen's Tier (3rd tier), Minas Tirith, Old Anórien
• Visit The Thirsty Seer - Sage's Tier (5th tier), Minas Tirith, Old Anórien

Ten Years of Trifles

Complete all ten years of trifles and earn 3 anniversary tokens, 3 dark clay dyes, 3 moria silver dyes, and the title "Bustling Adventurer".

Year 1 Trifles: Old Foes

• Defeat Baugarch - Chetwood, Bree-land
• Defeat Jagger Jack - Blackwold Headquarters, Bree-land
• Defeat Svalfang - Svalfang's Hut, Bree-land
• Defeat Mangemaw - Rushock Bog, The Shire
• Defeat Skíthi Blackhand - The Grimwater, Ered Luin
• Defeat Morrafn - Fields of Fornost, North Downs
• Defeat Dhît - Stone-troll's Glade, The Trollshaws
• Defeat Rothlúg - Southern High Pass, The Misty Mountains
• Defeat Farathlúg - Talvi-mûri (NE of Kuru-leiri), Forochel

Year 2 Trifles: Reflections I

You can access these instances by completing the relevant quests or, if already completed, by visiting the appropriate Reflecting Pool.

• Complete instance: Beneath the Greenfields - Vol. 1 Prologue (The Shire) or Michel Delving Reflecting Pool, The Shire
• Complete instance: The Infiltrator's Surprise - Turtles in the Soup quest chain in Bree, Bree-land or Bree Reflecting Pool, Bree-land
• Complete instance: Othrongroth - Vol. 1, Book 1 or Bree Reflecting Pool, Bree-land
• Complete instance: Retake Weathertop - Vol. 1, Book 2 or Ost Guruth Reflecting Pool, The Lone-lands
• Complete instance: Red-pass - Vol. 1, Book 2 or Ost Guruth Reflecting Pool, The Lone-lands
• Complete instance: A Formal Complaint - Hob Hillbrow's quests near Dwaling, Evendim or Tinnudir Reflecting Pool, Evendim
• Complete instance: The Tomb of Elendil - The Blade that was Broken quest chain (starts with Aragorn in Rivendell) or Tinnudir Reflecting Pool, Evendim
• Complete instance: The Twisted Heart - Longbough's quests in The Eavespires, Evendim or Tinnudir Reflecting Pool, Evendim
• Complete instance: Fire and Ice - Vol. 1, Book 5 or Rivendell Reflecting Pool, The Trollshaws
• Complete instance: Mordirith's Fall - Vol. 1, Book 8 or Aughaire Reflecting Pool, Angmar

Year 3 Trifles: This Time with Feeling I

• Do a handstand for Ivar the Bloodhand - Garth Agarwen: Barrows instance, The Lone-lands
• Blush at Naruhel - Garth Agarwen: Fortress instance, The Lone-lands
• Flex for Mordirith - Carn Dûm instance, Angmar
• Sing to Helchgam - Carn Dûm instance, Angmar
• Calm Igash the Fanatic - The Grand Stair instance, Moria
• Kiss Vrarz the Cook - Fil Gashan instance, Moria
• Poke Coldbear the Wight - Sâri-surma instance, Forochel
• Scold Gorothúl - Sammath Gûl instance, Dol Goldur, Mirkwood
• Wave goodbye to The Ring-Forge of Orthanc - The Foundry instance, Isengard, Dunland
• Smoke with Rook (The Lord of Pinions) - The Dome of Stars instance, Osgiliath Culverts, Eastern Gondor

Year 4 Trifles: A Good Old Skirmish

• Complete skirmish: Trouble in Tuckborough
• Complete skirmish: Storm on Methedras
• Complete skirmish: Attack at Dawn
• Complete skirmish: Thievery and Mischief
• Complete skirmish: Defence of the Prancing Pony
• Complete skirmish: Assault on the Ringwraiths' Lair (skirmish unlocked during Vol II, Book 9 in Mirkwood)
• Complete skirmish: Battle in the Tower (skirmish unlocked during Vol II, Book 9 in Mirkwood)
• Complete skirmish: Rescue in Nûrz Ghâshu (skirmish unlocked during Vol II, Book 9 in Mirkwood)

Year 5 Trifles: Reflections II

You can access these instances by completing the relevant quests or, if already completed, by visiting the appropriate Reflecting Pool.

• Complete instance: Frodo's Burden - The Valley of Imladris quests, The Trollshaws or Rivendell Reflecting Pool, The Trollshaws
• Complete instance: A Trap for the Creature - quests at Garbert's Cottage in Tâl Bruinen, The Trollshaws or the Rivendell Reflecting Pool, The Trollshaws
• Complete instance: The Last Refuge - Vol. 1, Book 5 or Rivendell Reflecting Pool, The Trollshaws
• Complete instance: The Doom of the North - Vol. 1, Book 14 or Rivendell Reflecting Pool, The Trollshaws
• Complete instance: The Fellowship Departs - Vol. 2 Prologue or Rivendell Reflecting Pool, The Trollshaws
• Complete instance: Mordrambor - Vol. 1, Book 11 or Tinnudir Reflecting Pool, Evendim
• Complete instance: The Ties That Bind - Pynti-peldot quests, Forochel or Sûri-kylä Reflecting Pool, Forochel
• Complete instance: The Rite of Clúclath - Crannog's Challenge quest chain, Aughaire, Angmar or Aughaire Reflecting Pool, Angmar
• Complete instance: The Seven Swords - The Secret of the Swords quest chain, Angmar or Aughaire Reflecting Pool, Angmar
• Complete instance: One Hope Remains - Vol. 1, Book 15 or Aughaire Reflecting Pool, Angmar

Year 6 Trifles: Creatures Great & Small

There are probably many places you can find these friendly creatures throughout Middle Earth. These are just some examples.

• Pat an Aurochs - Gondamon, Ered Luin
• Pat a Bird - Tuckburough, The Shire
• Pat a Cat - The Party Tree, The Shire
• Pat a Chicken - Waymeet, The Shire
• Pat a Cow - Buckland, Bree-land
• Pat a Deer - Rivendell, The Trollshaws
• Pat a Fox - Barad Dhorn, Agamaur, The Lone-lands (Radagast's tower)
• Pat a Frog - Bharad Dhorn, Agamaur, The Lone-lands (Radagast's tower)
• Pat a Goat - Floodwend, The Wold, East Rohan
• Pat a Pig - Buckland, Bree-land
• Pat a Rabbit - Rivendell, The Trollshaws or Barad Dhorn, Agamaur, The Lone-lands (Radagast's tower)
• Pat a Sheep - Waymeet, The Shire
• Pat a Snake - Noman-lands, The Wastes
• Pat a Squirrel - Rivendell, The Trollshaws or Barad Dhorn, Agamaur, The Lone-lands (Radagast's tower)

Year 7 Trifles: This Time with Feeling II

Many of these instances are raids, so bringing friends may help.

• Flip for Thorog - Helegrod instance, Helegrod, The Misty Mountains
• Wink at Bogbereth - Torech-i-Bogbereth, Himbar, Angmar
• Pose for Thaurlach - The Rift of Nûrz Gâshu instance, Angmar
• Stare at the Watcher - The Vile Maw instance, The Water-works, Moria
• Hug Nornúan - Filikul instance, The Water-works, Moria
• Flirt with the Mistress of Pestilence - Dâr Narbugud instance, Foundations of Stone, Moria
• Dance for Dúrchest - Barad Guldur instance, Dol Goldur, Mirkwood
• Wave to the Lieutenant of Dol Guldur - Barad Guldur instance, Dol Goldur, Mirkwood
• Congratulate Draigoch - Draigoch's Lair instance, Thror's Coomb, Enedwaith
• Curtsey for Durin's Bane - Ost Dunhoth instance, Enedwaith
• Meditate with Gortheron's Golem - Ost Dunhoth instance, Enedwaith
• Show Saruman you think he's crazy - The Tower of Orthanc instance, Isengard, Dunland

Year 8 Trifles: Reflections III

You can access these instances by completing the relevant quests or, if already completed, by visiting the appropriate Reflecting Pool.

• Complete instance: The Drowned Treasury - Vol. 2, Book 4 or Twenty-first Hall Reflecting Pool, Moria
• Complete instance: New Devilry - Vol. 2, Book 6 or Twenty-first Hall Reflecting Pool, Moria
• Complete instance: The Mirror of Galadriel - Vol. 2, Book 6 or Caras Galadhon Reflecting Pool, Lothlórien
• Complete instance: A Cornered Foe - Scuttledells quests, Mirkwood or Ost Galadh Reflecting Pool, Mirkwood
• Complete instance: In the Presence of Saruman - Vol. 3, Book 4 or Gravenwood Reflecting Pool, Dunland (at Rohirrim Scout-camp)
• Complete instance: Battle of the Ford, Sunset - Vol. 3, Book 5 or Gravenwood Reflecting Pool, Dunland (at Rohirrim Scout-camp)
• Complete instance: Troubled Dreams - Vol. 3, Book 6 or Gravenwood Reflecting Pool, Dunland (at Rohirrim Scout-camp)
• Complete instance: Lords of the Eastemnet - rebuild Hytbold quests or Snowbourn Reflecting Pool, East Rohan
• Complete instance: The Battle for Hytbold - rebuild Hytbold quests or Snowbourn Reflecting Pool, East Rohan
• Complete instance: Theoden, Son of Thengel - Vol. 3, Book 11 or Dunharrow Reflecting Pool, Kingstead, West Rohan

Year 9 Trifles: Up for a Challenge

• Defeat some foes in Sarnúr - Sarnúr, Ered Luin
• Defeat some foes in Ost Alagos - Ost Alagos, Weather Hills, Bree-land
• Defeat some foes in Garth Agarwen - Garth Agarwen, The Lone-lands
• Defeat some foes in Hîsuk - Dol Dínen, The North Downs
• Defeat some foes in Annúminas - Annúminas, Evendim
• Defeat some foes in Giant Valley - Giant Valley, The Trollshaws
• Defeat some foes in Giant Halls - Giant Halls, The Misty Mountains
• Defeat some foes in Limlight Gorge - Limlight Gorge, The Great River
• Defeat some foes in Tarlang's Crown - Tarlang's Crown, Blackroot Vale, Western Gondor

Tear 10 Trifles: Enormous Beasts

There are many places in Middle Earth where you could find these creatures. Below are some examples.

• Defeat some Gorthorog - Annúminas, Evendim
• Defeat some Stone-trolls - Ost Belegram or Ost Thondol, The Trollshaws
• Defeat some trolls - Giant's Valley, The Trollshaws
• Defeat some drakes - Giant's Valley, The Trollshaws
• Defeat some giants - Giant's Valley, The Trollshaws
• Defeat some mammoths - Giant Halls, The Misty Mountains
• Defeat some Huorn - Eaves of Fangorn, East Rohan

A Journey Through Middle Earth

Complete scavenger hunts from all ten years to earn 3 anniversary tokens, Armour of the Reminiscing Dragon (cosmetic armour set), Tome of the Majestic White Stag (pet), Steed of the Reminiscing Dragon (mount) and the title "Versed in Yesteryear".

Reminiscing Dragon Armour and Steed

Majestic White Stag

• Complete any Year 1 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, The Stone of Erech (housing decoration), Farmer Maggot's Dog (pet) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 2 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Little Old Man Willow (housing decoration), Bill the Pony (pet) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 3 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Dwarf Well (housing decoration), Raven (pet) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 4 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Banner of the Paths of the Dead (housing decoration), Tarkrîp Clan Shield (cosmetic shield) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 5 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Treebeard's Ladle (cosmetic axe), Fishing Creel (cosmetic backpack) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 6 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Friendly Deer (cosmetic pet), Puffy Sheep (cosmetic pet) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 7 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Legolas' Cloak (cosmetic cloak), Legolas' Hooded Cloak (cosmetic cloak), Quiet Cow (pet) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 8 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Caras Galadhon Mirror (housing decoration), Happy Pig (pet) and Scrap Paper.
• Complete any Year 9 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Erebrandir's Other Horseshoe (pocket item), Sand Castle (housing decoration), Radagast's Cloak (cosmetic cloak), Radagast's Hooded Cloak (cosmetic cloak) and Scrap Paper.
  
• Complete any Year 10 scavenger hunt and earn 1 anniversary token, Cloak Rack (housing decoration), Hobbit Cupboard (housing decoration) and Scrap Paper.
  

(I don't know if the Scrap Paper has a purpose but I'm hanging on to it just in case). *Update - for more information about the Scrap Paper, see my Anniversary Scavenger Hunt Finale.*

Stone of Erech Year 1	Farmer Maggot's Dog Year 1
Little Old Man Willow Year 2	Bill the Pony Year 2
Dwarf Well Year 3	Raven Year 3
Banner of the Paths of the Dead Year 4	Tarkrip Clan Shield Year 4

(The Tarkrîp Clan Shield will probably change ..."The Tarkrîp Clan Shield is indeed using an incorrect appearance. I would encourage you to hold onto the cosmetic item rather than destroying it until the problem can be rectified and you can make a decision based on its intended look." - Tybur )

Treebeard's Ladle Year 5	Fishing Creel Year 5
Friendly Deer Year 6	Puffy Sheep Year 6
Legolas' (Hooded) Cloak Year 7	Quiet Cow Year 7
Caras Galadhon Mirror Year 8	Happy Pig Year 8
Radagast's (Hooded) Cloak Year 9	Sand Castle Year 9
Cloak Rack Year 10	Hobbit Cupboard Year 10

VIP Gift: Steed of the Eldar

I couldn't help myself - the limited edition Steed of the Eldar that is gifted to VIPs who log in between February 6 and March 13 looks really nice and would be very useful for all my characters, so I re-subscribed to LOTRO. I don't regret it - Standing Stone Games seems to be making an effort to enhance aspects of the game, such as housing and quality of life things like binding phials of flower extracts from North Ithilien to account instead of character, so I'm happy to support them and look forward to the new and improved LOTRO of 2017.

Steed of the Eldar

Steed of the Eldar warsteed appearance set (caparison and halter dyed navy)

Level 105 Gear - Update 19

I previously looked at the different sets of armour available at level 100, so now that I've reached the new level cap of 105, we will look at the new options available. Ozraid has covered some of the sets that were available from instances in update 18, so I will mainly cover the gear from North Ithilien and other sources.

Instances

For more information, see Ozraid's guide.

Gear from Osgiliath instances scale up to level 105. These are trait tree specific (3 sets per class), have set bonuses and do not have essences.

Gear from Pelennor instances scale up to level 105. These are class specific (1 set per class), have set bonuses and 4 essence slots.

Gear from Featured Instances scale up to level 105 and are also known as Recollection armour sets. These are class specific (1 set per class), have set bonuses and 2 essence slots.

Raids

Throne of the Dread Terror is a 12-man raid at level 105. Armour and Jewellery tokens can be exchanged for gear at the Master of Battle Lore (Pelennor Rewards Vendor) or their associates (Sage for light armour, Scout for medium armour, Warrior for heavy armour). Armour is trait tree specific (3 sets per class), have set bonuses and 4 essence slots. Jewellery is divided into will/agility/might categories and T1 jewellery has 2 essence slots while T2 jewellery has 3 essence slots. T1 gear is prefixed with "Lesser" and T2 gear is prefixed with "Greater".

You can also get level 105 class-specific items (such as a legendary lute for minstrels) with 1 essence slot, and off-hand items.

The T2 gear can be upgraded at the Herb-master in North Ithilien to "Supreme" gear.

Questing in North Ithilien

Some of the Epic Quests in Volume 4, Book 7 offer level 105 essence gear (chest and cloaks) and North Ithilien essence boxes. Quests in North Ithilien also offer typically ilvl 222, 2-slot essence gear.

North Ithilien Flora Bartering System

Flowers can be picked all over North Ithilien to obtain phials of extracts that can be exchanged for gear at the Herbalist. The armour has 4 essence slots and jewellery has 3 essence slots and they are fairly easy to get (but getting the necessary essences may take some time). Note that medium armour comes with vitality, not agility or might. Legendary rings can be bartered from the Herb-master.

Tier 8 North Ithilien essences can be obtained through epic quests, normal quests and by turning in four Ithilien Essence Fragments obtained from repeatable quests to the Herb-master. These essences can also be used to create Wild Essences through crafting professions, which can then be exchanged at the Herb-master for more powerful Ithilien-infused Essences.

ilvl 246 Ithilien Armour	Light	Medium	Heavy
Head	4 Essences 652 Armour 90 Will 442 Morale	4 Essences 968 Armour 90 Vitality 422 Morale	4 Essences 1254 Armour 90 Might 442 Morale
Shoulders	4 Essences 652 Armour 90 Will 442 Morale	4 Essences 968 Armour 90 Vitality 422 Morale	4 Essences 1254 Armour 90 Might 442 Morale
Chest	4 Essences 2169 Armour 90 Will 442 Morale	4 Essences 3220 Armour 90 Vitality 422 Morale	4 Essences 4174 Armour 90 Might 442 Morale
Hands	4 Essences 1054 Armour 90 Will 442 Morale	4 Essences 1610 Armour 90 Vitality 422 Morale	4 Essences 2087 Armour 90 Might 442 Morale
Legs	4 Essences 1808 Armour 90 Will 442 Morale	4 Essences 2683 Armour 90 Vitality 422 Morale	4 Essences 3478 Armour 90 Might 442 Morale
Feet	4 Essences 869 Armour 90 Will 442 Morale	4 Essences 968 Armour 90 Vitality 422 Morale	4 Essences 1673 Armour 90 Might 442 Morale
Appearance

ilvl 246 Ithilien Jewellery	Will	Agility	Might
Earring	3 Essences 225 Will 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Agility 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Might 589 Morale
Necklace	3 Essences 225 Will 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Agility 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Might 589 Morale
Bracelet	3 Essences 225 Will 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Agility 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Might 589 Morale
Ring	3 Essences 225 Will 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Agility 589 Morale	3 Essences 225 Might 589 Morale

ilvl 258 Ithilien Jewellery	Will	Agility	Might
Legendary Ring	3 Essences 237 Will 1401 Morale	3 Essences 237 Agility 1401 Morale	3 Essences 237 Might 1401 Morale

Throne of the Dread Terror raid gear upgrades

T2 raid gear can be upgraded at the Herb-master (see the raid section above).

Epic/Big Battles

You can get level 105 jewellery (no essence slots) from participating in epic battles such as The Defence of Minas Tirith, but the Stars of Merit vendors currently only offer level 95 or 100 jewellery.

Skirmish Camps

Skirmish Camps offer level 105 (ilvl 213) armour, off-hands and jewellery (Pelennor Guardsman's set) with no essence slots for marks and medallions.

Crafting

Unfortunately, crafters cannot make level 105 gear currently, only the wild essences, but there has been talk of a possible crafting update in the future.

World Drops and the Auction House

And of course there are the usual random world drops that can be obtained and sold on the auction house. I have noticed that there doesn't seem to be much level 105 gear available on the auction house, but what is for sale is fairly cheap.