Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Sunday, 28 July 2013
A Ridiculous Challenge: 85 levels, 85 days.
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| From left to right: Mousey, Himeros, Astalder, Hannihr, Celebrimbus, Ihrhan, Berg, Sagittarius and Hannasiel. |
In 85 days' time, I will have all of my characters to level 85.
I have set myself a goal of getting all of my characters to L85 within just under 2 months. Hannihr and Astalder are already at the level cap. If I can develop all of my other alts to 5 levels a day, they will all eventually reach the cap. I hope.
Stormborn has reached 100 kinmembers!
Our first major milestone as a kinship: Stormborn has reached its 100th member!
We began as a kinship on 18th February 2012. Inactive for most of that part due to University and work, we have finally become an active and social kinship again!
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| We're smokin' hot. |
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| We treat the kin house like a pub. |
Saturday, 27 July 2013
An Elven Wedding
Yes, this actually happened. My girlfriend I started playing 2 and a half years ago. Me, on my Guardian Hannihr, and her on Aliramiel, her Hunter.
We traveled over Middle-Earth together. Well, she would run off to a quest and I would try to keep up. We ran from Celondim to West Bree. There and back again. I like her serenade her sometimes.
Here we are in Angmar, enjoying the romantic... brown... water...
Eventually we decided to have an Elven engagement. Yes, we actually had a friend of ours as a priest... there was a guest list and everything. So began the hen night.
The following day we had the wedding.
...and had the reception at the Green Dragon.
And so, Evernight had its first same-sex marriage. We received a few petitions against it:
"Eru made Arwen and Strider not Arwen and Ida."
But oh well. We had fun. We reached a level of nerdom we didn't know was possible.
We traveled over Middle-Earth together. Well, she would run off to a quest and I would try to keep up. We ran from Celondim to West Bree. There and back again. I like her serenade her sometimes.
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| "And IIIIIIII wiiiill alwaaaaaays loooove youuuuuuu!" |
Here we are in Angmar, enjoying the romantic... brown... water...
Eventually we decided to have an Elven engagement. Yes, we actually had a friend of ours as a priest... there was a guest list and everything. So began the hen night.
The following day we had the wedding.
...and had the reception at the Green Dragon.
And so, Evernight had its first same-sex marriage. We received a few petitions against it:
"Eru made Arwen and Strider not Arwen and Ida."
But oh well. We had fun. We reached a level of nerdom we didn't know was possible.
Celondim Sky
A little GIF I created of Celondim's sky. One of the first things I loved about Lord of the Rings Online was its skies.
Friday, 26 July 2013
Kinship Recruiting
Kinship recruiting can be an absolute pain in the Carn Dum (that's Elvish cockney for bum). I have seen some truly excellent kinship adverts while venturing across Middle-Earth, but unfortunately I have walked into some regional channels with dreadful attempts at finding new recruits. It is therefore only fair that I use some examples now to give you an idea of what NOT to use when recruiting. Or, Eru forbid, I should use one of your examples in a future article!
Example one:
"We are ..... and we are recruiting all levels, races and classes into our kinship. Please send a tell to join!"
No imagination, no creative flair, no originality and certainly nothing that stands out. It's not even your bread and butter. It's your "can't-believe-it's-not-butter" and stale, brown bread. Do not use this! Ever!
Example two:
"..... is recruiting today. We are a rank X kinship offering regular instances, a social environment, kinship house, and fun. Send a tell to Arragoorrn to join!"
It makes my skin crawl. Almost any relatively decent kin will have some sort of regular timetable. Will have instances, a kinship house and, of course, a social atmosphere. You have to razzle dazzle your audience. Tickle their fancy. Use your sense of humour to cause a giggle - you'll get people's attention and will be recognised for having the ability to make others laugh.
Example three:
"If you join ..... today, we will give you 500s! Come to the Boar Fountain to join and receive your gold after joining."
This actually happened about two years ago. I was in a well established kinship, and some left for a few minutes so they could get their gold and then sneakily return to our kin. This "kinleader" was bribing others to join. Thankfully it never happened again, but just a warning - it's not worth the humiliation.
How to improve:
This is something I created when recruiting a fortnight ago. It's simple, but gets the attention you need.
"Do you fall off cliffs because your warsteed hates you? Have you done hundreds of OE runs, and still cannot get that shiny new item? If you are unlucky, then why not get even unluckier and join us? Send a tell to join Stormborn!"
and another...
"Are you grinding for hours to get your elusive gold item, but would rather your kin gave you them for free? Are you bored of playing with n00bs and want to join some hardcore, elite players? Do you want help power levelling? Well, that's not us. But we're recruiting anyway. Send me a tell to join Stormborn!"
If you have read any great kinship ads, or would like your kinship featured in a future article - comment here or send me a tell in game!
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| Giiiirl I am fabulous. |
Example one:
"We are ..... and we are recruiting all levels, races and classes into our kinship. Please send a tell to join!"
No imagination, no creative flair, no originality and certainly nothing that stands out. It's not even your bread and butter. It's your "can't-believe-it's-not-butter" and stale, brown bread. Do not use this! Ever!
Example two:
"..... is recruiting today. We are a rank X kinship offering regular instances, a social environment, kinship house, and fun. Send a tell to Arragoorrn to join!"
It makes my skin crawl. Almost any relatively decent kin will have some sort of regular timetable. Will have instances, a kinship house and, of course, a social atmosphere. You have to razzle dazzle your audience. Tickle their fancy. Use your sense of humour to cause a giggle - you'll get people's attention and will be recognised for having the ability to make others laugh.
Example three:
"If you join ..... today, we will give you 500s! Come to the Boar Fountain to join and receive your gold after joining."
This actually happened about two years ago. I was in a well established kinship, and some left for a few minutes so they could get their gold and then sneakily return to our kin. This "kinleader" was bribing others to join. Thankfully it never happened again, but just a warning - it's not worth the humiliation.
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| Sneakingses my precious! |
How to improve:
This is something I created when recruiting a fortnight ago. It's simple, but gets the attention you need.
"Do you fall off cliffs because your warsteed hates you? Have you done hundreds of OE runs, and still cannot get that shiny new item? If you are unlucky, then why not get even unluckier and join us? Send a tell to join Stormborn!"
and another...
"Are you grinding for hours to get your elusive gold item, but would rather your kin gave you them for free? Are you bored of playing with n00bs and want to join some hardcore, elite players? Do you want help power levelling? Well, that's not us. But we're recruiting anyway. Send me a tell to join Stormborn!"
If you have read any great kinship ads, or would like your kinship featured in a future article - comment here or send me a tell in game!
Which type of LOTRO player are you?
I have compiled a list of different player types that I have come across over the past few years. There will be many I have missed out, but these seem to be the more common types within our game.
The Arragoorn
The Arragoorn
Enjoys role-play, but cannot think up an original story line for their own character. They believe they are a born again (insert protagonist name here). This is possibly the player's first character, and may opt for a name change later on (I am guilty of this).
The Beacon of Light
This player will bring humour to the game, and never takes it too seriously. They are loyal to their friends, are outgoing to the players they meet in their travels and can bring hope to even the most difficult of situations.
The AFK Player
What it says on the tin. They play infrequently (less than two days a week) and may not have a character at the level cap. Sometime they will be the founder of a well established kinship but rarely plays anymore.
The Troll
This player takes their entertainment from annoying others. While they may not do this every day, they will still take delight in causing mischief to others when the moment arises. This player has likely "kin hopped" many times for obvious reasons.
The Lone Ranger
This player will be kinless, or very inactive in kin chat. Prefers to solo new content and will rarely acknowledge the "multi-player" within an MMORPG. Will only group up when necessary. As their character's level increases, as does the amount of "Hey! Would you like to join a kinship?" they'll receive daily.
The Beacon of Light
This player will bring humour to the game, and never takes it too seriously. They are loyal to their friends, are outgoing to the players they meet in their travels and can bring hope to even the most difficult of situations.
The AFK Player
What it says on the tin. They play infrequently (less than two days a week) and may not have a character at the level cap. Sometime they will be the founder of a well established kinship but rarely plays anymore.
The Elite
The elite players will be accustomed to tier 2 end game raids. Will have had excellent gear at every expansion. They will have an advanced knowledge of most (if not all) classes to an L50+ level. Draigoch would be jealous of the amount of golden gear they are wearing.
The Hoarder
Will roll on anything in a raid. Even if they do not need it themselves. This is likely due to having many characters and assuming one of them may need it one day. Their vaults are full of items they have collected over the years. May create alts as "banking characters". An example of disorganised hoarding:
Will roll on anything in a raid. Even if they do not need it themselves. This is likely due to having many characters and assuming one of them may need it one day. Their vaults are full of items they have collected over the years. May create alts as "banking characters". An example of disorganised hoarding:
The Hardcore PVPer
Has spent so many years in the Ettenmoors, the developers of LOTRO are considering naming one of the NPC Captain-Generals after them. In some cases, a hardcore PVPer will reminisce about the "good ol' days" of LOTRO, before the Moors changed and how it's "more PVE than PVP". Despite their discontentment with the changes, some may still play every day. The pros of being a hardcore PVPer is that you are likely to become somewhat "famous" among your peers on your server, and will gain considerable respect for your rank and dedication.
The "Thingo"
Finally, we have the "Thingo". I have named this type of player after a much loved character in Evernight's Ettenmoors. The "Thingo" will be a veteran of the game, with an appreciation for the lore. Has excelled in their class and engages in role-play on occasion. This player will be light-hearted, social and rarely causes disputes. Gold, gear, levels and rank are not too important to them as long as they are having fun and can enjoy the game.
Can you think of any more types? Comment on this post for suggestions!
Has spent so many years in the Ettenmoors, the developers of LOTRO are considering naming one of the NPC Captain-Generals after them. In some cases, a hardcore PVPer will reminisce about the "good ol' days" of LOTRO, before the Moors changed and how it's "more PVE than PVP". Despite their discontentment with the changes, some may still play every day. The pros of being a hardcore PVPer is that you are likely to become somewhat "famous" among your peers on your server, and will gain considerable respect for your rank and dedication.
The "Thingo"
Finally, we have the "Thingo". I have named this type of player after a much loved character in Evernight's Ettenmoors. The "Thingo" will be a veteran of the game, with an appreciation for the lore. Has excelled in their class and engages in role-play on occasion. This player will be light-hearted, social and rarely causes disputes. Gold, gear, levels and rank are not too important to them as long as they are having fun and can enjoy the game.
Can you think of any more types? Comment on this post for suggestions!
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