Scenic Tour: Before the Shadow

Before the Shadow came out with Update 34 in November 2022 and adds a new starting experience for level 1-32 characters in new regions Swanfleet and Cardolan. There are four epic quest books set before events in the Shadow of Angmar (the original base game) and there are new features for higher level players as well, including a skirmish, a 6-person dungeon and a new delving system (a scalable difficulty option for some missions with special bonus rewards).

Swanfleet

I decided to create a female stout-axe dwarf brawler (since both stout-axe dwarves as a race and brawlers are fairly new as well) to try out this area.

Thordena in the starting village of Mossward

 

The tutorial started off with a burning village under attack and then requests for your aid helping the villagers. One brawler issue I ran into though was that I received several weapons as a quest reward - a 1H sword, a 2H sword, a 1H axe and battle-gauntlets. I was able to equip the axe or the battle-gauntlets but I couldn't use any of my brawler abilities while wielding the axe. Fortunately I didn't sell the gauntlets! 

I discovered a Treasure Cache in the Howlingstones I could open at level 5 and was pleasantly surprised it actually had some nice gear in it - for level 11 and level 15. This is a great improvement on the treasure caches in other zones that require level 90 to open and contain only junk! Now exploring will be more worthwhile!

A Little Extra Steed (32%) from "A Little Extra Never Hurts - Part 2"

Speaking of exploring, Swanfleet is a large open zone with remote villages from many different cultures and lots of hills and valleys with scenic vistas. You really need a mount to get around (you can get the riding skill and a mount for free by doing the tutorial quest "A Little Extra Never Hurts - Part 2"), but there are also stablemasters in each village which helps. 

Mossward - a settlement of Men

Clegur - a settlement of Hobbits

Lhan Garan - a settlement of Dunlendings

Caras Gelebren - Elven ruins

One thing that seemed difficult to find was a Master of Apprentices who could teach you crafting vocations - usually you get an obvious quest at level 5 to visit the trainer in the starting village. Instead, following the Prologue quest chain, I went from Mossward to Clegur to Glyn Helyg to Lintrev, then Book 1 took me to Lhan Garan at level 12 where I finally found the trainer. Nearby Caras Gelebren is a great place for apprentice scholars to find relics amongst the ruins (also lots of wooden chests containing low level crafting ingredients). Tier 1 resources in general are fairly abundant here.

The main story in Swanfleet is quite interesting and the background music in the zone is fantastic and very enjoyable to listen to. By following Book 1 of Before the Shadow I finished most of the deeds in the zone and reached level 17 (quests in Swanfleet are designed for level 1-15). I liked how the Book quests take you back to Mossward where you started, ready to head into Cardolan to continue the journey. I'm curious to learn what will happen next.

Cardolan

Thordena got a makeover in the Mossward blacksmith shop before leaving for Cardolan. Silver, gold and steel blue, and she's got her backpack and pickaxe for collecting shiny ore along the way (she's an armourer). No mistaking her for anything but a metal-loving dwarf, although even I would mistake her for a male dwarf. Maybe one day she'll wear pink but I think she would be proud that people see her as just as strong and capable as her brothers-in-arms.

Thordena preparing for Cardolan

She entered Cardolan by way of Tharbad, an orc-infested ruin of a bridge, and made some interesting new acquaintances. As a result, I think it is better if new players play through the original main story first (i.e. Shire/Ered Luin/Bree-land and beyond - possibly up to at least level 105) before levelling through Swanfleet and Cardolan on another character because there are spoilers for later events in the game.

Tharbad

Herne (main town)

Cardolan looks so pretty when it's not raining. The meadows are blooming with colourful flowers, lakes and rivers glitter in the sun, there are ruins dotted all over the landscape that just beg to be explored and the views stretch so far it gives a feeling of freedom. It would be wonderful to go for a gallop on a war-steed across those fields, leaping over the rocky outcrops like the nimble goats!

Sedgemead

Tyrn Gorthad

 

On the other hand, Tyrn Gorthad looks horrible in any weather - like the Barrow-downs of Bree-land, or the Fields of Fornost in the North Downs.

While doing the quests in the Southern Old Forest (I was going to skip them because they seemed so far out of the way, but I'm glad I did them, there's a good story there), I swam along the Brandywine River between Bree-land and Cardolan and discovered the entrance to the Woe of the Willow instance (which is part of the Wildwoods quest pack). It was pretty easy but not very interesting, and doing it solo, all I got was some medallions and rep tokens.

Entrance to Woe of the Willow instance (1-3 players, lvl 20-140)

The quests also took me into the Sarch Vorn dungeon in Cardolan. The final boss fight was a good challenge - make sure to remove corruptions and debuffs and run away to heal up. It finished off that story-line and set me back on the path towards my next goal: Caranost.

Entrance to Sarch Vorn (1-6 players, lvl 20-140)

In Sírlond, the friendly camp near orc-infested Caranost, I found the Quartermaster for the Dúnedain of Cardolan. I was able to get the Return to Swanfleet and Return to Cardolan travel skills. They also have a bunch of housing decorations available.

The red flowers all over the zone took on a new meaning after learning about the Battle of the Deadmount. The main story in Cardolan is quite interesting and helps fill in some lore. I was level 30 when I finished the quests in Cardolan and I was recommended to continue questing in North Downs or Lone-lands until I reached level 32 then I can continue Book 4 of Before the Shadow. I had almost completed the Deeds of Cardolan so I finished that first. Here's a tip for completing the Slayer of Cardolan:

• Orcs - Tharbad, Caranost
• Half-orcs - Nímbarth, Amon Firn
  
• Goblins - Haudh Nirui, Hove Farm
  
• Dead - Tyrn Gorthad, Dol Ernil, Amon Firn

Steed of Cardolan's Dawn

Completing the Deeds of Cardolan earned me a nice mount: Steed of Cardolan's Dawn!

I followed Halbarad to North Downs to continue helping the Rangers near Esteldín. When I reached level 32 I got a quest to talk to Candaith near Weathertop in the Lone-lands. He sent me to Rivendell. And there, the Before the Shadow story ends as Elrond says thanks for the news, now please continue to protect Middle Earth.

You can join back into the main Epic Quest at Book 4 (recommended level 37) or there is also an option to join the Further Adventures of Elladin and Elrohir (Elrond's sons) on a mission to investigate the Black Riders. The Further Adventures scales with level but ends up in Lothlórien. Or, you could go questing in Evendim or the Trollshaws. I've enjoyed this alternate levelling path through Swanfleet and Cardolan and the new lore I've learnt so I'll continue with the Further Adventures and see what new stories await me there.

Conclusion

When they first announced the Before the Shadows mini-expansion I wasn't really interested (mostly because the cost seemed high for a "mini" expansion) even though it was aimed at players like me who have levelled up lots of characters through the original starting zones. I'm glad I finally tried it because it was really good! It had a great story, some interesting zones, some nice rewards and fairly good pacing - I was close to the target level for all the quests and didn't feel like I was running out of things to do or leaving things undone to keep up with the main story. The levels flew by and the ending leads you back into the main game quite nicely as well.

One aspect of Before the Shadow I didn't try was the Delvings but from what I understand it involves repeating instances over and over again with different/more difficult challenges each time. I find repeating instances boring, so that's not for me, but I hope other people enjoy it.

Overall, I think Before the Shadow is a great prequel to the main story and is a good option for veteran players levelling alts, but not recommended for new players.

Scenic Tour: The Wildwood (Bree-land)

The Wildwood was added to Bree-land in Update 29, in March 2021. I was keen to visit this area because I saw you could earn some mounts, and I hoped it would be a nice alternative to questing in Angmar.

Trestlebridge (West Alley)

You start off in a new part of Trestlebridge where the Woodcutter's Brotherhood want to rebuild Trestlebridge. You'll need resources from the Wildwood, but you meet Thornmane who needs your help to restore the balance in the woods; there are many corrupted trees, orcs, bandits and predators to be pruned. 

Thornmane near Cotfast

Trader's Wharf

Eventually you meet the League of the Axe down at Trader's Wharf and they seem to just want to establish their own safe haven in the Wildwood and want your help gathering resources and eliminating threats.

That sums up the story-line and the rest is doing lots of repeatable quests to earn notoriety and complete deeds. The quests don't reward you with equipment so this zone won't help you gear up for Moria. It does give quite a lot of XP and there are tons of Master level resources and recipe drops available. Some of the deeds also give cool titles - my Warden is happy to be a "Scout of the Forest", although she also earned "Warden of the Wildwood".

There are also a number of missions available from the Trestlebridge quest hub. These are short, repeatable quests and after doing 15 missions, I am at about 60/200 Bree-land Wood-marks towards getting one of those mounts I wanted (Wild Trader's Steed). The other mount (Wild Trestlebridge Steed) is from completing all the deeds in the zone, including the Slayer deeds. Looks like I'll be level 50 before I'm finished here.

Overall, I think this is a zone I'd do once and then skip for most characters because it's just not worth it. There's not much story or rewards. It's a laid-back grind-fest, running all over the forest, killing everything you see, over and over again. Not my idea of fun. It reminds me a bit of the Hytbold grind but without the sense of progression. But, maybe if you just want to relax and do something else while you're playing, this might be a good place to do that while earning some gold, XP and LOTRO points. 

Writhenset

PS. If you're just chilling out in the woods, don't go down into the depths of Writhenset - I got lost in the spiderwebs for half an hour and it was not a relaxing time trying to find my way out while being ambushed every few seconds.

Scenic Tour: The Angle of Mitheithel (Trollshaws)

The Angle of Mitheithel is a new sub-zone in The Trollshaws for levels 40-45, added in the "Rangers and Ruins" Update 32 in February 2022. I decided to take my rune-keeper Sharmaen through the zone because she was dreading questing through Angmar and this would be a fresh new experience where she could help out her fellow elves.

Note: the following contains spoilers for the story-line in the Angle of Mitheithel. I definitely recommend you visit the zone and enjoy the quests yourself! 

A lovely lake in Mitheithel

Oh the zone is so beautiful! Full of vibrant valleys and crumbling overgrown ruins, it's a place to stop and admire the view at the top of every hill and around every corner. It's also a great place to find Tier 4 (Artisan) resources and recipes.

Just after entering The Trollshaws via The Last Bridge, a path leads south to an outpost called Gaerond. There Sharmaen found Elladan and some Defenders of the Angle who could use her assistance. They sent her further into the zone to check on some travellers and help them reach their destination safely. 

The ruins of Eitheldir (with some fascinating history!)

 

Along the way she meets Ravaedron, an elf that has come to visit his former home and say farewell to friends before he travels into the West. He tells me about his hobbit friends from more than 1000 years ago who lived in Glynafon, but left due to the threat of war from Saruman's army. Their homes are now ruined mounds.

The ruins of Glynafon

Fernbrake Cot

He recently made some human friends with the Staghorns who live in Fernbrake Cot nearby. When he says goodbye to them and promises he will ensure their safety after he has gone, they get very upset with him. He goes on a mission to make things right and asks for our help.

Tornhad

We make our way to Tornhad, a village of Rangers, to request their protection for the Staghorns, but they are busy preparing to depart themselves: they have heard rumours that Saruman is causing trouble again around Mirkwood. Indeed, we meet some good Dunlendings fleeing Saruman and some bad Dunlendings hunting them.

Cuan-lȗth Refuge for Dunlendings fleeing Saruman

The Rangers ask for help with patrolling the area and collecting herbs for medicines and animal hides for making leather armour and generally making the area safe before they leave. That done, they finally show some sympathy for Ravaedron and promise that some will stay behind to keep protecting the area. Ravaedron is relieved but decides to make a painting as a farewell gift for the Staghorns.

Ravaedron painting Mitheithel in the rain

The painting isn't received well and so he tries again, with more success once he realises what is really important to his friends.

Forgiven

And so, Ravaedron can leave Middle Earth, Elladan can return to Imladris and the Rangers can scout out Mirkwood, knowing that with our help, the Angle of Mitheithel is as safe as can be, for now.

On a final note, I really liked how the quests led you through the zone and introduced some interesting history. Also, by questing you earn enough reputation to reach Kindred and unlock all the items from the Defenders of the Angle quartermaster. As you can see from the picture above, Sharmaen has claimed Emberwing as her companion as they both like fire. Overall, a really well done zone and I look forward to visiting there again with other characters.

Scenic Tour: Iron Hills

Myndariel got the quest from Erebor to go to the Iron Hills and she has loved her short time there (from level 115 to level 117). It's not the most beautiful zone - I think "rugged charm" might be more appropriate - but it's got a great story and lots of Ironfold mining opportunities. It was also really nice to get some gear upgrades without essence slots.

The dwarven town of Járnfast has been damaged by an earthquake

Utterby has been invaded by Easterlings

Myndariel in disguise to help Tuhâl rescue some refugees

July: Month of the Hunter

This month is all about hunters in Middle Earth for me: I'm currently levelling three hunters through various parts of the game and really enjoying the class. I usually play blue spec because I like the mobility, but I've been having fun trying out the yellow spec traps and decoy lately too.

Level 100 Robinya (VIP) - West/Central Gondor

Robinya doesn't really like fighting, she likes collecting artifacts. Fortunately, her quests in West Gondor recently took her to Edhellond where there were corsairs running around and nearly trampling priceless old elven artifacts amongst the ruins, so she had no compunction about putting an end to them when necessary.

Edhellond

Then she went to Dol Amroth and met up with Jajax again, who told her about the corsairs down on the coast at Hashadîr, so she went to their camp and found some crates of artifacts and she wasn't going to let any corsair slavers or pillagers stand in her way of returning them to the library in Dol Amroth for further study. Then Jajax got kidnapped so she had to go rescue him from Abedec's Watch, and they had been stealing artifacts too, so she reclaimed them as well.

Robinya reached level 100 in Ethring, Ringló Vale in Central Gondor. It would be nice to get her to level 105 before the Mordor expansion launches, but I don't think I have enough time.

Mordor Expansion

I watched some streams of people playing the Mordor beta and saw that there is still a lot missing, placeholder text for quests, character appearances looking worse than before (fat faces with less expression, flat chests and big bellies), class skills needing balancing or fixing etc. so I figured the expansion was a still a little ways off - this is Mordor: I hope it will be really polished. Then we see the announcement for preorders and in the fine print it mentions the release date at the end of this month - July 31st. The fine print! <shakes head in disbelief> I love LOTRO but sometimes I despair over how the game is run.

For most MMOs, expansion release dates is a big deal and they usually give you a fair bit of notice to build hype and let people prepare for it. When I used to play WoW, I would arrange to take my holidays during the first week of a new expansion so I could play it non-stop and enjoy all the new content without interruptions (oh server crashes or major bugs were inconvenient but also bonds players who were there together as they commiserate and help each other on voice chat, in-game chat or forums).

This will be the first expansion in LOTRO since I joined, and I'd love to dedicate several days to it, but I won't even be there when the gates of Mordor open because I've already made other plans - visiting my family in New Zealand. Normally I would hope expansions launch on time and be complete (unlike Rift's latest expansion which was missing most of the advertised expansion content), but this time I hope the Mordor launch is delayed, for both selfish reasons and so they can make it the best it can be.

Level 35 Mystrandos (F2P) - Evendim

Evendim

My free-to-play hunter Mystrandos is questing through Evendim, working on the Epic questline and saving up LOTRO points to unlock Angmar next.

I don't really enjoy the quests in Northcotton Farm - so much traipsing back and forth - but at least she got quite a bit of XP from it. She completed some Shire deeds by questing around Oatbarton and the Glassblower's Camp near Dwaling, so those LOTRO points will help. Now she's based at Tinnudir and I'm looking forward to visiting the ruins throughout Parth Aduial.

Level 1-20 Hunter

I actually levelled a hunter from 1-20 at the start of the month so that I could create a little kin for crafting alts and invite myself into it with two accounts and two instances of the game open at the same time. However, I was already level 10 before it hit me that I should have screen-shotted and documented her levelling for the Introducing X Class guides. Oops. Opportunity missed. Ah well, I'll just make another hunter and take notes this time. Never can have too many hunters right?

Anniversary Scavenger Hunt Finale

Armour and Steed of the Reminiscing Dragon

The Year 10 Scavenger Hunt quests are now available as well as the final rewards for completing scavenger hunts from each of the 10 years which include the title "Versed in Yesteryear", a package containing 7 pieces of cosmetic Armour of the Reminiscing Dragon (with both a hooded and unhooded cloak), the Steed of the Reminiscing Dragon and the Majestic Stag pet.

Reginald, the Majestic Stag

Not mentioned is that you also get the war-steed appearances for the Reminiscing Dragon and the blue parts are dyeable!

Warsteed of the Reminiscing Dragon

Warsteed appearances dyed forest green

I love the colours on the Reminiscing Steed (I know it's pretty similar to the Unflagging Dragon, but I prefer silver to gold) and I think this will be Myndariel's favourite mount for a while. Although I have completed scavenger hunts from every year, I still have a few quests to finish - mostly the ones involving instances and skirmishes - so the hunt continues.

I'm still curious about what the scrap paper is for too...

OK. I found out. I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't done it, so for more specific information, visit LOTRO-Wiki. In general terms though, the scrap paper is a clue about where to go to find the final quest in the scavenger hunt.

Here's a hint:

The final quest is timed (you have 30 seconds to complete it) and involves a companion, a rock and some emotes. And as a reward for completing it you get this:

and it makes noise

Thanks to Standing Stone Games for the scavenger hunt. It's been interesting and fun to revisit some iconic locations and events in Middle Earth. For everyone still taking part in the scavenger hunt, may you reminisce on many good times in LOTRO during the last ten years, and for those whose characters weren't high enough level to complete the scavenger hunt this year, may you be inspired to keep levelling and know that there is lots to see and do in Eriador, Rhovanion, Gondor and Mordor.

Level 50 Champion

Kaseya at the Walls of Moria

I got Kaseya, my champion, to level 50 and, surprisingly, she is loving Moria so far. She's finding it really easy and doesn't even mind that she's only got the slow (32%) goat from the quest - I was going to take her to Sarnúr to get kindred with Thorin's Hall to buy their faster goat (62%), but by the time she quested in Misty Mountains and Angmar and did part of Goblintown, she was level 48 and her first legendary sword was level 10 and she was keen to get her legendary rune and visit Moria.

I'm dual-wielding and playing both red and yellow specs on her - red for single mobs and yellow for groups of mobs. In the mid 40s she got some traits that let her attacks restore some morale in both specs, so her health doesn't drop much. She's finally got a cleanse ability (a.k.a. Fear Nothing!) to get rid of debuffs which helps, and a couple of abilities to boost dps and power regen for some nice bursts of damage.

Yellow had really good fervour generation at level 20 with Battle Frenzy, and now Red is generating lots of fervour too due to trait bonuses - Precise Strikes gives an extra pip for each crit (and she crits a lot) and Red Haze restores full fervour after killing a mob. Both specs have very little down-time which is great.

At level 50, Savage Strikes became Feral Strikes which removes corruptions. I was hardly using Savage Strikes because it doesn't seem to do as much damage as Remorseless Strike or Merciful Strike for Red, and Blade Storm or Raging Blade for Yellow. So I've moved it from my main action bar to my utility/situational bar and moved Clobber (an interrupt that deals a little damage) to my main bar instead because I'm using that a lot. I try to avoid getting stunned or letting mobs heal themselves.

My first legendary weapon started with Critical Damage Multiplier, Brutal Strikes Damage and Rend Bleed Damage legacies. The Crit Multiplier and Rend was good but Brutal Strikes is another ability in the Red tree that seems redundant at low levels, although there are some traits that may improve it later. The Champion Rune started with Champion's Horn Stun Duration, Swift Strike Power Cost and Ebbing Ire Cooldown legacies. I probably don't use my Horn to stun mobs as often as I should or could, so maybe this will remind me to use it more. Reducing the power cost of Swift Strike is good because it is way too expensive for the amount of damage it does. Ebbing Ire reduces threat - I'm levelling solo so I haven't even bothered putting trait points into it in Red line - so that was pretty useless.  Hopefully I get some better legacies for my Rune when I reforge.

My Rotation

This is what I use for questing solo at level 50 and it works well for me. There may be more effective rotations available and I encourage people to check out the Champion class forums and LOTRO wiki for more tips and guides.

Red Line - The Berserker

If it's an elite mob, I start off with Controlled Burn which increases melee damage, attack speed, power and fervour generation. I use Devastating Strikes to build 2 fervour and debuff the target so they take more damage. I use Wild Attack then Swift Strike if needed to generate enough fervour for Remorseless Strike. Keep building fervour then spending it on Remorseless Strike until Merciful Strike (the nuke/execute skill) becomes available, or if my health drops I use Bracing Attack. If I need more healing, I use Fight On. If my power starts to drop and Controlled Burn is still on cooldown, I use True Heroics to boost power and critical hit chance and debuff the enemy so they attack slower. I try to finish them off with Merciful Strike.

I use Clobber (interrupt), Fear Nothing! (debuff removal), Blood Rage (stun/disarm removal), Feral Strikes (to remove corruptions) and Hamstring (slow) as needed.

Yellow Line - The Deadly Storm

When I get in range of a group of mobs, I start with Battle Frenzy to boost fervour generation. I use Rend to put an armour debuff on the mobs as well as cause damage-over-time, and also generate 2 fervour. I can usually use Blade Storm straight away, but if I need more fervour I either use Blade Wall (which doesn't generate or cost fervour but hits all the mobs nearby) and wait a second for Battle Frenzy to generate some, or use Wild Attack then Swift Strike if needed. When Blade Storm is on cooldown, I build fervour with Rend, Wild Attack and Swift Strike, then spend fervour on Raging Blade (or Bracing Attack if I need some healing, with Fight On for more healing). If power starts to drop or I need a dps burst, I use True Heroics which boosts power and melee damage, and slows enemy movement speed (because by now some are probably defeated or nearly defeated and maybe thinking about running away). When Battle Frenzy is off cooldown, I use it again to keep fervour generation up. If multiple mobs are casting or starting to run away I use Horn of Gondor to stun them. I try to finish off stragglers with Merciful Strike, or if they run out of melee range I use my bow.

I use Clobber (interrupt), Fear Nothing! (debuff removal), Blood Rage (stun/disarm removal), Feral Strikes (to remove corruptions) and Hamstring (slow) as needed.

My Legendary Legacies Wish-list

For my weapon, I'd like (but can't have them all):

• Major - Area of Effect Skill Damage
• Major - Critical Damage Multiplier
• Major - Wild Attack Damage
• Major - Remorseless Strike Damage
• Major - Rend Bleed Damage

• Minor - Battle Frenzy Cooldown
• Minor - Rend Armour Reduction
• Minor - True Heroics Power
• Minor - Fear Nothing Cooldown/Incoming Healing

For my rune, I'd like (but can't have them all):

• Major - Blade Wall Damage
• Major - Bracing Attack Heal
• Major - Blade Line AOE Power Cost
• Major - Devastating Strike Damage Multiplier
• Major - Swift Strike Power Cost

• Minor - Merciful Strike Damage
• Minor - Strike Skill Power Cost 
• Minor - Raging Blade Damage

My champion is a Westemnet Weaponsmith at the moment, so I'm looking forward to getting her to max rep with the Weaponsmith's guild soon so she can make level 100 legendary weapons. I am really enjoying playing this character now so maybe she will be my next character to reach max level as well.

Finally Finished Mirkwood

The 10th anniversary scavenger hunt has made me go back and finish quest lines that I never got around to on Myndariel which is great. One of the quest-lines I have always wanted to finish is Mirkwood. By the time I finished Moria and Lothlórien, I was high enough level to go to The Great River so I pretty much skipped Mirkwood while levelling. I did start the epic and I have had my milestone set to The Haunted Inn for a very long time as a reminder to return.

The Haunted Inn

Dol Goldur and the doomed forest

And I finally did it - I finished the exploring and the questing (Mirkwood has some great story-telling!), got Kindred with the Malledhrim, became an "Ambassador to the Elves" (kindred with all the elven factions - Elves of Rivendell, Galladhrim and Malledhrim) and "Stalwart against the Shadow" (completed the epic quests in Vol. 2), and got three nice mounts and an Exquisite Elven Dress. It feels like a big accomplishment, even if it is a few years overdue.

Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of Mirkwood - partly because it's so dark and gloomy and partly because most of the pictures I did have are on my old computer that died recently. I will have to go back (again) and do a proper Scenic Tour of Mirkwood soon.

In the mean time, here are my new horses:

Prized Malledhrim Horse

Smokey Black Horse

Elf Ambassador's Horse

And here's the Exquisite Elven Dress (dyed violet):

Myndariel in Mirkwood

So, now I can work on a few other characters and look forward to more scavenger hunts that send Myndariel on new old adventures.

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