Cosmetics: Blue Bear

I don't normally do cosmetic outfit posts - there are other blogs like Wandering Around Arda, Material Middle Earth or The Starry Mantle that create lots of great-looking outfits and presents them beautifully.

Nevertheless, I really like my Beorning's outfits and I'd like to share them. The first I think shows an almost Elven litheness inherent in the flexibility to change between man and bear form, while the second outfit with heavier armour shows strength and her willingness to make a stand, protecting her allies from the enemy.

Outfit 1

Tyravorth wore Outfit 1 for most of the first 90 levels. She changed helms a few times - she started off with the starter Beorning headband, and at one stage wore a shiny navy and gold metal helmet, but I liked this hat best.

Oh, my characters tend to hide their weapons when they're out of combat (unless they have a really cool looking weapon).

Head: Scholar's Hat (Misty Mountains quest reward from "A Scholar's Lesson", dyed navy)
Shoulders: Battle-tested Shoulders (Level 59 quest reward, Battle-tested Armour box, dyed navy)
Chest: Ceremonial Town-saver's Jacket (from Skirmish Camp, dyed navy)
Hands: Elven Leather Gloves of Vigour (random mob drop around level 41-44, dyed umber)
Legs: Ceremonial Town-saver's Leggings (from Skirmish Camp, dyed navy)
Feet: Ceremonial Boots of the Quiet Step (from Skirmish Camp, dyed umber)
Back: Eastemnet Cloak of Might (crafted T8 cloak from tailor, dyed navy)

Outfit 2

This was taken just after the battle of Helm's Deep. The chestpiece was a heavy armour epic quest reward for taking part in the battle and she liked it better than the medium armour option. So she collected it and then raided the shared wardrobe for other pieces to go with it and dyed them navy, or umber for the gloves. I used the same cloak - I like how it dyes and the pattern isn't boring, but it also doesn't distract attention from the outfit.

Head: Inquisitive Lore-master's Hat (East Rohan quest reward from "Leaders from Moria", dyed navy)
Shoulders: Fine Grey Company Wrap (Dunland epic quest reward from Vol 3, Book 5, Chapter 1, dyed navy)
Chest: Breastplate of the Rider (West Rohan epic quest reward from Vol 3, Book 13, Chapter 6, dyed navy)
Hands: Dholen-lhaw (Dunland epic quest reward from Vol 3, Book 4, Chapter 5, dyed umber)
Legs: (not visible)
Feet: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Boots (Dunland quest reward from "Once a Servant, Now a Wizard", dyed navy)
Back: Eastemnet Cloak of Might (crafted T8 cloak from tailor, dyed navy)

A Quick Guide to Reputation - Rhovanion

Here are some comments and suggestions on earning reputation with various factions in Rhovanion.

Iron Garrison Guards

• Questing, deeds and tasks in Moria
• Mobs in Moria drop rep tokens
• Iron Garrison Miner rep tokens can be exchanged for Iron Garrison Guard rep tokens
• Moria crafting instance quests
• Volume 2, Books 3, 4 and 5 epic quests

Iron Garrison Miners

• Questing, deeds and tasks in Moria
• Mobs in Moria drop rep tokens
• Iron Garrison Guard rep tokens can be exchanged for Iron Garrison Miner rep tokens
• Volume 2, Books 2, 4 and 5 epic quests

Galadhrim

• Questing, deeds and tasks in Lothlórien
• Scourge of Khazad-dûm instance quests and deeds in Moria (Dâr Narbugud, Halls of Crafting, Mirror-halls of Lumul-nar and The Water Wheels: Nalâ dûm)
• Volume 2, Books 6 and 7 epic quests

You must reach Friend standing with the Galadhrim to be able to enter Caras Galadhon.

Killing "Protected" animals in Lothlórien will reduce reputation.

Malledhrim

• Questing, deeds and tasks in Mirkwood
• Skirmishes (Breaching the Necromancer's Gate, Assault on the Ringwraith's Lair, The Battle in the Tower and Protectors of Thangúlhad) give rep
• Volume 2, Book 9 epic quests

The Riders of Stangard

• Quests, deeds and tasks in The Great River

Heroes of Limlight Gorge

• Quests, deeds and tasks in Limlight Gorge (part of The Great River)
• Defeating elite mobs in Limlight Gorge
• Roots of Fangorn instance quests and deeds

Men of the Wold

• Quests in The Wold, East Rohan
• Defeating warbands in The Wold
• Repeatable daily Hytbold quests
• Tokens of Hytbold can be exchanged for rep

Men of the Norcrofts

• Quests in the Norcrofts, East Rohan
• Defeating warbands in the Norcrofts
• Repeatable daily Hytbold quests
• Tokens of Hytbold can be exchanged for rep

Men of the Entwash Vale

• Quests in the Entwash Vale, East Rohan
• Defeating warbands in the Entwash Vale
• Repeatable daily Hytbold quests
• Tokens of Hytbold can be exchanged for rep

Men of the Sutcrofts

• Quests in the Sutcrofts, East Rohan
• Defeating warbands in the Sutcrofts
• Repeatable daily Hytbold quests
• Tokens of Hytbold can be exchanged for rep

People of Wildermore

• Quests, deeds and tasks in Wildermore
• Defeating warbands in Wildermore

Survivors of Wildermore

• Repeatable daily quests in Wildermore

You must complete all the quests in Wildermore first to unlock access to this faction.

The Eorlingas

• Quests, deeds and tasks in Kingstead, Eastfold, Broadacres (West Rohan)
• Defeating warbands in Kingstead, Eastfold, Broadacres (West Rohan)

The Helmingas

• Quests, deeds and tasks in the Stonedeans and Westfold (West Rohan)
• Defeating warbands in the Stonedeans and Westfold (West Rohan)

The Ents of Fangorn Forest

• Quests and a deed in Entwood (West Rohan)
• West Rohan crafting instance quests

Spring Festival 2016

Hooray! The Spring Festival has arrived in Middle Earth and runs from June 7 to June 21.

I'm looking forward to getting some nice cosmetic items for my new free-to-play characters. I think my festival fanatic, Robinya the peaceful hunter, will also be taking part, and the new mount would be perfect for my rune-keeper who is a yeoman who loves growing flowers.

Activities

For more detailed information, see the LOTRO-Wiki guide to the Spring Festival.

What to do in Bree-land

Head to the Festival Grounds and explore the hedge maze (lots of quests that count for the Spring is Dandy meta-deed, plus the chance at a shrew pet in a gift box), take part in the horse/pony races or practise some traditional dances of Men.

The Hedge Maze in Bree-land

Talk to Avery Crabapple in the Bree Market Square to start a romantic quest chain involving patches of flowers (violets near West Bree, marigolds near Michel Delving and primroses near Celondim). Collect enough flowers to earn gift boxes, the Steed of the Jester or Spring Lissuin war-steed appearances.

What to do in the Shire

Head to Brockenborings and the Greenfields and help make Bullroarer's Brew then try the Bullroarer's Challenge (running along the top of a fence while drunk).

Honour Bullroarer in the Shire

Have fun with a traditional Hobbit dance or sign up for membership with the Inn League at the Party Tree. The Inn League Challenge involves a timed Shire pub crawl. Once completed, there are additional quests available from Inn League Tavern Keeps but these do not reward Spring Leaves.

Take part in horse/pony races at the Shire race course near the homesteads, or visit Sandson's Farm, Hobbiton and Cotton's Farm to see how they deal with pesky shrews for the quest "How the Shire Shoos Shrews".

What to do in Ered Luin

Head to Duillond to take part in the Stomp-A-Shrew game at the Festival Garden or help the gardeners collect flowers and materials to make new boots for stomping shrews, or learn a traditional Elven dance. 

The Festival Garden in Ered Luin

There is drinking and dancing at the Thorin's Hall Inn. Try some Dwarven dances or sign up with The Ale Association if you enjoy making mischief. The Ale Association Challenge involves a Bree-land pub crawl. Once completed, there are additional quests available from Ale Association Tavern Keeps but these do not reward Spring Leaves.

Mounts

Steed of Ethuil (2016)

The new mount is beautiful with a unique saddle blanket decorated with flowers. Previous Spring Festival mounts are available for Spring Leaves or Mithril Coins.

Steed of New Bloom (2015)

Cosmetic Rewards

There are lots of cosmetic outfits available at the Spring Festival for Spring Leaves.

The new Sightseers' outfit will make you look like Bingo Boffin, ready for adventures.

Sightseer's Jacket, Trousers and Straw Hat

There's also the New Bloom set which includes a cloak and tunic.

Hooded Cloak of New Bloom

Tunic and Trousers of New Bloom

Or if you prefer a robe or dress, there is the Lissuin set with a choice of hooded or hoodless cloak.

Lissuin Hooded Cloak

Lissuin Robe

Lissuin Dress/Lissuin Cloak

But wait there's more! The beautiful Simblemynë set returns with a choice of hat or circlet, and a dress or tunic.

Simblemynë Cloak

Simblemynë Tunic and Wide-Brimmed Hat

Simblemynë Dress and Circlet

The Spring-flinger set has variations for cloak and hauberk but the cloaks don't really match the hauberks.

Spring-flinger Cloak

Spring-flinger Hooded Cloak

Spring-flinger Hat

Short-sleeved Spring-flinger Hauberk

Long-sleeved Spring-flinger Hauberk

Last but not least is the Trellis-weave set. The hooded cloak has accidentally been named the Hooded Cloak of Many Worlds at the vendors.

Trellis-weave Cloak

Hooded Trellis-weave Cloak

Trellis-weave Robe

And we have a few other miscellaneous cosmetic accessories.

Spring Dandy Cloak	Spring Dandy Hooded Cloak
Spring Adventurer's Quiver	White Rose Circlet

Other Rewards

There are some housing decorations (mainly sculptures for the yard or maps for the wall), pet shrews, crafting recipes for cooks and farmers, consumables and some of the new seasonal festival dyes.

You can get a pack of six Shire Plum or Bullroarer's Green dyes for 20 Spring Leaves per pack, or a pack of six Lavender or Deep Purple dyes for 10 Mithril Coins per pack. They're pretty colours, but I'm afraid I won't be buying them at those prices.

Have fun!

*Update*

The Tome of Spotted Shrew can be obtained from a Patch of Flowers while doing the quest A Fistful of Flowers from Avery Crabapple in Bree (I found 3 during the quest). The quest takes an hour, but at the end you should have enough flowers to get the Steed of the Jester (or war-steed appearances) if you want and some giftboxes. The giftboxes gave me flower petals and a cooking recipe.

Spotted Shrew pet

Steed of the Jester

My hobbit minstrel got a Tome of the Dusty Shrew from the giftbox for completing Terrible Tweens in the Hedge Maze.

Dusty Shrew pet

Captain Stat Priorities

Captains are versatile characters, who can tank, dps, heal and buff groups while wearing heavy armour and mostly staying in melee range. They are the jack of all trades and master of none, but still in high demand for grouping. The following stats may be important and help captains to be more effective in their various roles.

The Basics

Might

Captains are a might-based class so this is the most important stat and increases both offense and defense.

Captains who have chosen the yellow trait tree (Leader of Men, tanking) can gain the set trait Two-Handed Prowess that lets you block with a two-handed weapon (normally a shield is required for blocking).

• Increases physical mastery (more melee damage)
• Increases tactical mastery (more potent cries and healing)
• Increases block (avoid physical damage taken from a frontal attack)
• Increases parry (avoid physical damage taken from a frontal attack)

Fate

Captains rely on critical hits a lot to increase damage generally and to trigger Enemy Defeat Responses which can make certain abilities more powerful.

• Increases critical rating (more damage/healing)
• Increases tactical mitigation (reduces damage taken from spells)
• Increases in-combat morale regeneration (more survivability) 
• Increases power regeneration in and out of combat (more endurance)

Vitality

Vitality increases your survivability.

• Increases morale (health points)
• Increases resistance to debuffs (reduce effects of wound/fear/disease/poison)
• Increase out-of-combat morale regeneration (reduce recovery time between battles)

Agility

Agility is a helper stat that increases both offense and defense, but not as much as might.

• Increases critical rating (more damage/healing)
• Increases evade (avoid physical damage from any direction)
• Increases parry (avoid physical damage from a frontal attack)

Offense Stats

Physical Mastery increases damage dealt. It's one of the most important stats for Captains and melee damage-dealers in general. Even if you're a healer you will need physical mastery because a lot of heals are triggered by melee attacks such as Valiant Strike.

Tactical Mastery increases healing and cries. If you're a healer you will want lots of tactical mastery, but damage-dealers will want some as well to improve abilities such as Battle-Shout and Routing Cry. 

As mentioned above, Critical Rating is important for triggering more powerful versions of abilities, and is useful for both damage and healing. The cap is 25%.

In addition to fate, agility and direct critical rating on gear, essences or legendary item relics/titles etc., the trait trees also provide buffs that increase critical hit chance (Astute Hands in Blue Line for healing and Arterial Strikes in Red Line for dps).

Finesse becomes more important at high levels. It helps weakens your enemies resistance to debuffs and ability to block/parry/evade your attacks. As a Captain who will be attacking in melee range and who has several bleed attacks, finesse will help your attacks to be more successful.

High level enemy mobs, especially in instances or PvP, can also have finesse. Ideally, you want to make the enemy mobs more vulnerable than they make you.

Defense Stats

Physical and Tactical Mitigations are essential for survivability. These reduce the damage you take from physical damage (melee and ranged) and from spells (e.g. light, fire, frost, lightning, shadow damage).

The cap is 60% and you should try to get as much mitigation as you can. Mitigation can be obtained from stats (armour gives physical mitigation, fate and will give tactical mitigation), gear, virtues, essences, legendary item relics/titles etc.

Resistance to wounds/fear/disease/poison helps decrease the damage you take. However, there are also other ways to deal with these debuffs - such as using Muster Courage or potions to remove them, having mitigations to reduce the damage they inflict, or having lots of morale so that they do not significantly affect your health.

As a result, resistance is something that you shouldn't need to gear for specifically. Virtues are a good source of resistance, as well as vitality.

Critical Defense is mainly a tanking stat that reduces the damage taken from critical hits. This can make it easier for healers to keep you alive. It may also be useful when soloing or in PvP. Captains gain some critical defense as a passive skill at level 20. The Yellow trait tree for tanking also provides some critical defense (Shrug Blows Aside). Critical defense can also be found on gear, essences and legendary items relics/titles etc.

Incoming Healing is also mainly a tanking stat that increases the amount of healing you receive. Again, this makes it easier for healers to keep you alive and can be useful when soloing or in PvP. Incoming healing can increases heals by up to 15%. Incoming healing can be found on some gear, essences and legendary item relics etc.

Summary

So the stats Captains need in general:

• Might
• Physical Mastery
• Physical and Tactical Mitigations to cap (60%)
• Critical Rating
• Fate
• Tactical Mastery
• Finesse (at high levels e.g. level 75+)

Please correct me if I am wrong or leave a comment if you have something to add about how stats affect Captains.

A New Free To Play Account

For the last week, I've been having fun playing with a new second LOTRO account, a completely free-to-play account.  I immediately noticed that there are a lot of features I take for granted as a VIP/Premium player, but it also gave me more goals to work towards and made me want to keep playing and making progress.

The two biggest features I missed - having riding and mounts available to me as soon as I finish the intro quests on a new character (around level 5-6), and shared storage space in the vault (but I found a way to alleviate that).

Starting new characters on a new account, the tutorial mode was automatically turned on. While I didn't need to be told how to move or loot, there is a little bit of interesting lore at the start that gets missed when you skip the tutorial - for example, seeing how and why Amdir gets stabbed with the Nazgûl blade in the starting area for Men. It's been a while since I'd played through the tutorials so it was good to revisit them. I'll have to make a new hobbit and dwarf soon to see their tutorial lore!

Shared storage space is the best thing since sliced bread and I don't know how I survived without it in other MMOs. Finding out that free players don't get any shared storage space was a horrible shock and became my number one goal to overcome. 995 TP for the first tier of Shared Storage seems like a lot for a new player, but there is another way. By level 15 I had enough in-game money to buy a small house which comes with 30 shared storage slots. It's not as convenient as the vault in most towns, but it'll do.

Small Bree-land House

The house is quite empty at the moment, but I could work on the Bingo Boffin quest saga to get some decorations (and pets).

I really missed having a horse - I was almost level 20 before I had enough turbine points and money to buy the Riding Skill (normally 95 TP from the LOTRO Store) and standard mount (500 silver - additional standard mounts are 200 silver each). I was so happy to finally get her - I've renamed the horse Preshus (since the name Precious is not allowed) and we shall be inseparable as we journey through Middle Earth, like Floid and Dewitt.

My next goal is saving up the TP for North Downs. I still have a lot of free content available in Bree-land, the Shire, Ered Luin and the Lone-lands though, so no rush. Getting some decent-looking outfits is also a high priority, but the Spring Festival is coming up soon so I can get some nice gear there for free by participating in the activities.

Having tried a number of other free-to-play MMOs where there are paywalls blocking progress and/or basic features, or frequent pop-up advertisements encouraging you to buy things from the in-game store, LOTRO is pretty good in comparison. It's not that difficult to earn TP just by playing the game, so even though many features are locked to free players, it's only temporary if you have patience.

The Ballad of Bingo Boffin Part 4

Bingo's journey continues in Mirkwood. See the guide to The Ballad of Bingo Boffin for his earlier adventures.

Chapter 31: First, Breakfast! (level 66)

Bingo wants to make a delicious meal to cheer people up at the Haunted Inn, and hopes you can find the ingredients in Mirkwood. The recipe was in a book given to him by a Ranger called Aduiallin, but when he has a question about one of the preparation steps, you find out that there is no Ranger called Aduiallin - instead it was a ghost called Adolinda, who loved cooking in life but has been cursed to find no rest or peace in death.

Bingo is shocked to find that the Haunted Inn really is haunted and he decides not to go ahead with the recipe - he didn't really want to try spider legs anyway. But he's still hungry.

Chapter 32: Second Breakfast (level 68)

Bingo has been complaining to Willem Whisker about his hunger and now the lynx has run off. Bingo asks you to find out where he has gone. Willem was seen heading east and the ghost can tell he is not in Audaghaim. You head east and finally find him at the entrance to Dol Guldur!

Fennas Guldur - what could you find for breakfast there?

Willem has found an orc-satchel. You laugh when you see what is inside and take it back to Bingo. He laughs when he sees what is inside too - spider legs! Bingo decides to head back to Lothlórien for a decent meal.

When he gets there, he starts worrying that maybe the hunger is a curse for his deception about entering Mirkwood, so he asks you to apologise to Calengoth (the boat-keeper of the Lothlórien docks) on his behalf. Calengoth accepts the apologies and offers Bingo a packet of lembas and his best wishes. Bingo feels much better.

Chapter 33: The Banks of the Great River (level 70)

Bingo is ready to continue his adventure and follows the Anduin River to Haldirith. He notices the scenery here is different from Lothlórien, but still beautiful, so he wants to record his impressions - but his ink-pot has run dry. One of the elves suggests a recipe for making ink from some dark mud, river-reeds and water.

Thinglad in the Great River

Bingo asks you to find some places of interest nearby to visit. Maervadhor suggests Foul-maw's Den and the Old Burrows might be exciting for an adventurer. Bingo writes feverishly.

Chapter 34: Unusual Friends (level 72)

Bingo noticed a Rohirrim outpost nearby, but the elves won't speak of it. He decides to visit Stangard to see if he can remedy the situation. The guard at Stangard will not allow "peculiar visitors" into the town and hopes we leave Rohan quickly. He mentions a  woman was also turned away recently and she headed towards Frithstan's Camp. Bingo thinks we should go see if she might need our help.

The woman is Langhár, a Beorning from the Vales of Anduin. She has come to fight the orcs so they do not reach her home, and would appreciate if you would help defeat them too. Langhár spots a great eagle near the Secluded Clearing and says we should go talk to the eagle to find out what it has seen.

Bingo meets a Beorning and a Great Eagle

Bingo is amazed at the sight of Great Eagle, so Langhár suggests we fight off some spiders nearby while Bingo talks to the eagle. When you return, Bingo says that Landroval has seen brightly coloured tents and enemies gathering in the Brown Lands, preparing to attack Stangard. Bingo wants to warn the people of Stangard - but the stubborn guard will not listen.

Chapter 35: Enter the Easterlings (level 75)

We head to the Brown Lands to investigate ourselves. While you hunt down Easterlings, Bingo scouts the Rohirrim camp of Etheburg. One of the Easterlings drops secret orders saying that their army is planning to sneak around Etheburg to surprise attack Stangard. Bingo hopes the guard at Stangard will finally take notice of the threat.

The guard looks afraid and guilty that you risked your life to bring him this information even after he had been so rude. He apologises and asks for your help to defend the outpost.

Stangard

The men of Stangard are impressed with how Langhár, Landroval and you help drive off the Easterling raid (while Bingo washes dishes in the kitchen). Stangard is safe for now and the guard has gained some respect, perhaps even admiration, for outsiders.

Chapter 36: Bingo's Burden (level 78)

Bingo is not sure where to go next - Rohan is full of horses and Bingo does not like horses much. He would much prefer to walk.

Welcome to Rohan ... on foot

We are ambushed by orcs almost as soon as we arrive. A Rohirrim rides up to us just after we defeat the orcs and says we should get a horse from one of the nearby towns. Bingo still thinks we will be just fine without one. So we walk to Langhold and Bingo learns the people are expecting trouble. Bingo thinks he can make things better for the townspeople by defeating some salamaders, brigands and Easterlings.

Bingo starts to reconsider the horse - Rohan is larger than he expected. He has been advised to visit Harwick if he wants a horse. Perhaps he will have a look after all.

Chapter 37: Yea or Neigh? (level 80)

Bingo is frightened by the horses for sale in Harwick and refuses to buy any of them. Cuthbald is determined to find a suitable mount for Bingo - he has his reputation as the best horse trader in the Wold to maintain.

Cuthbald obtained a pony from one of the orc raids, but he wasn't sure what to do with it - Tanglemane is too small for the Rohirrim. Bingo thinks he's perfect. Cuthbald will give the pony to Bingo for free if we can find something for it to eat (Tanglemane is a fussy eater). You search Harwick, and finally find some apples the pony will eat - Bingo is delighted as the pony can eat all the apples he doesn't like!

Bingo and Tanglemane

Chapter 38: The Tracker (level 82)

The journey through Rohan continues and Bingo suggests we eliminate some of the enemies of the Rohirrim as we head for Cliving. Bingo enjoys the ride, but Willem Whisker is not so happy - he's jealous of the pony! Bingo tries to reassure Willem and begs Willem and Tanglemane to get along.

In Cliving you find Egwylf, who was last seen heading for Stangard on an urgent mission. She is tracking down members of a cult called the Blood Eye that has allied itself to the orcs. She asks you to look out for anyone in Cliving wearing a brooch with a red gem. You find one brooch near some tents but there is no sign of its owner.

Chapter 39: A Cold Trail (level 85)

The other agent of the Blood Eye is still missing, but Egwylf thinks they may be heading for Wildermore. West of Cliving, a path leads up the hill into Wildermore and Bingo overhears some orcs talking about letting someone with a red gem pass, even though they would rather take him prisoner and make a meal out of him. Bingo is quite horrified.

You follow the road into Wildermore and find a wounded farmer who was ambushed by someone wearing a red brooch. They stole his axe and ran north-east. At Thrymm's Farm, you find a wounded orc who was attacked by the same man: he stole the orc's purse. The nearest place to spend coin would be in Forlaw, so you head there and find Bingo Boffin in the street near the Tasks Bulletin Board. He heard that a man with a red gem was seen visiting a barber. The barber confirmed the man had been there and was very unpleasant. He muttered something about "Kadar-golnauk" before storming out.

You find Bingo Boffin has left Forlaw without you. "Kadar-golnauk" is not much to go on and no one else seems to have any clues, so you head to the the next town, Scylfig, to see if anyone there has seen or knows anything. Surprise surprise - Bingo is there and the local people have told him that Kadar-golnauk is an orc camp to the north-west. A Sneering Uruk in the orc camp admits to talking with the man and refusing his coin. The man left for the High Knolls. You follow the trail and head up the mountain to Grimnesberg and find Willem Whisker sniffing some empty food sacks. He points to the west with his nose, indicating which way the man went.

You head west and end up near Byre Tor. There you meet Egwylf who has discovered the man's tracks do not lead into the town but continue west. To the west is a large mountain - you follow the mountain pass and find disturbed snowpiles heading west then north. At the top of a cliff, you find the corpse of a desperate man, hand still outstretched towards the red gem brooch lying nearby. You pick up the brooch and return to Forlaw, where you find Bingo and Egwylf.

Egwylf thanks you for your help and warns you to watch out for other members of the cult. Bingo feels a little sorry for the man's suffering but he is also feeling a little sorry for himself - Wildermore is so cold! He is glad to have solved the mystery but now he wants to go someplace warmer!

Wildermore

(Note: this quest gave very little guidance on where to go - I basically had to guess and explore based on the limited information available. Fortunately it worked out, but this guide on Lotro-Wiki may also be helpful.)

Chapter 40: Bert Has a Word (level 88)

Bert Bartleby has been following Bingo's journey and he would like to have a word with you. His stock of merchandise is getting rather low, and he would like you to purchase some items on his behalf from a lore-master recently arrived in Forlaw.

You head to the west gate where he was seen and the guard tells you the lore-master has left town. The guard also mentions the man was stout, wore a simple robe, had a bald head and big brown beard, was selling junk and had pet lizards that bite. When you give Bert the description, he identifies the lore-master as his old neighbour Humfrey Rumming. He's afraid Humfrey might get himself into trouble and asks you to find him.

Humfrey Rumming in Dunfast

You find Humfrey in Dunfast and he rambles on then asks you to kill some "Frozen Efts" west of Dunfast (these are frost lizards/worms similar to those seen in Misty Mountains). You return to Humfrey and he thanks you and hopes the villagers will return now the lizards are gone. He asks why you came and then sells you some sundries for Bert.

The items were worthless and Bert was disappointed you spent all the coins on them, but not angry. Humfrey might have got the better deal this time, but many years ago it was Bert who got the better deal when he bought Rattlepacks, his horse and best friend, from Humfrey cheaply.

Bingo is happy you could help Bert and tells you that he met Egwylf again. She recommended they head to Entwash Vale next, but did not say why. Find out more in part 5.

Scenic Tour: Far Anorien

The new zone has a similar climate and architecture to Gondor and Old Anórien. In Taur Drúadan I found my normal horse was more useful than the war-steed because of its extra maneuverability in narrow spaces - the area is heavily forested and quite mountainous. The main road also leads right through enemy encampments, and many of the quests involve traveling back and forth across the region.

Taur Drúadan

There is only one stable-master in Taur Drúadan, at the War-stead of the King's Men - I hope they add one near Drû Bhûta, as these are the two main quest hubs.

The Drúadain/Wose are a new race, associated with the Púkel-men statues seen in West Rohan near Dunharrow. If I understand it correctly, they call themselves the Drúadain, but the Rohirrim call them the Wose. In any case, they like to laugh, play drums and have unique marriage ceremonies!

Drû Bhûta - a Wose village

The Beacon Hills is a welcome change after the wilderness - more open, rolling foothills, but also more mounted orcs. The hills look out over wetlands along the River Entwash. In the west is West Rohan, to the north is the Falls of Rauros and East Rohan, and in the distance to the north-east is the Dead Marshes.

The Beacon Hills

Looking towards the Dead Marshes

The main settlement is Ost Rimmon, which seems cluttered and poorly laid out at the base of Min-rimmon, one of the seven Northern beacon-hills in Gondor.  

Ost Rimmon

I feel like I've been ripped off with the Far Anórien region pack. It was so much more expensive than other region packs and has so little to offer. The instances and a promise of a raid do not justify the high price either. We finally get a level cap increase after several years at level 100, and it wasn't worth it. There's nothing new and exciting to look forward to at level 105. Farming instances for essences and essence gear? No thanks. The debacle with the level 101+ legendary items that are not supposed to be any better than level 100 items hasn't helped either but rather caused confusion and disillusionment with the legendary item progression system.

I can only wait for them to add more content in future updates, but in the meantime I'm going back to leveling lower level characters through zones that are overflowing with content and lore and interesting things to do and see and collect compared to Far Anórien.