Kinship Spotlight: Stormborn

Unless you have been living in a Middle-Earth cave for the past 2 months (Beornings excluded here - get back in your cave!) you will have seen Stormborn advertising in colourful fades across the World chat and OOC channels.

Yes, they do like their colour fades.

As of today, the Falathlorn based kinship turned one thousand days old - an accomplishment for a sever as quaint as Evernight!

The Kinship is run by Hannihr and Aliramiel. Based in the UK, the kin is a primarily English speaking setting with the occasional player from all corners of the world.

Congratulations Stormborn!

Recently Stormborn have made an alliance with the Elite Archers of Elrond and Lemniscate. Two excellent kins!

If you would like a Kinship Spotlight for your kinship, send an in game mail to Hannihr, or comment below on this article!

The Evernight Report is here!

Today marks the first article of The Evernight Report. Here you can find current server-wide news for Lord of the Rings Online's best server! You will also find hints and tips with upcoming articles, player-spotlights and local events... so stay tuned!

Last week we saw the release of Update 15: Gondor Aflame. With this, the Beorning class clawed its way onto our screens, offering a new character dynamic to the 7 year old game. Of course, the Beorning puns quickly became unbearable. It has proved to be an enjoyable, if not slightly overpowered, class.

Today I had the chance to interview Soluman the Beorning - recently turned level 85 within one week of Update 15 being released. Unbearlievable!

Hi Soluman! Thank you for meeting with me. What do you think of the new Beorning class?

I do enjoy this class very much, it's very strong and can survive a lot of mobs.

What about damage? Which tactic would you recommend we use to progress on the Beorning?

It kills super fast in bear form in the Red tree trait line. I just build up wrath from a trash mob, then go to bear form and kill even elite monsters in seconds.

That really is quite impressive. There have been mutterings that this class is overpowered. Do you feel it is? Or would Goldilocks say it was "just about right"?

Just about right in my opinion. It will be interesting to see them at level 100 with the best gear!

That's reassuring to know! I think there would be complaints if a primary damage class, like the Hunter, was being over-shone by a new kid on the block.

Compared to Hunters, I believe we do a little bit less damage. I was levelling with an even levelled Hunter yesterday and he killed much faster when I was not in bear form. But in bear form I could finish a mob a bit faster.

Oh really? Maybe that's why there are rumours of being overpowered!

Nah, not too overpowered. Bear is "OP", but not really, because it costs a lot of wrath, and that takes time to build and decreases very, very fast.

I suppose that levels things out a bit. Talking of higher level game content now... I can't imagine Beornings riding a horse in Mounted Combat. A circus bear riding around the ring comes to mind... What is the class like when attacking from a horse?

Mounted combat is heaps of fun, but not when trying to be fast... it's a bit slow.

With time let's hope the developers speed things up a bit!

Exactly, for example: Hunters and Wardens get an out of combat run buff. I don't see why Beornings shouldn't get the same.

Slow levelling is surely a thorn in the paw. Are there any other issues with the class that you have found?

Hmm... the gear I've seen so far has all been identical design copies from Warden... The Moria set for example.

Has that been a good thing or annoying?

Kinda annoyed about that, I hope there is some unique ones further on. Also the Moria teal set has no set bonuses of anything so it's not worth getting at all. The cheapest one is best at the moment.

Yes I saw the Beorning Hytbold set. Some room for improvement I think!

I'm thinking they rushed the class a little bit, could of done some more stuff. But I've yet to see level 100 so, hey!

Indeed! Off to level 100 with you! Thanks for the chat Soluman, enjoy the end game content on your Beorning!

Thanks, I will! For the moment it's my new favourite class.


If you would like to be interviewed on any aspect of Lord of the Rings Online, send an in game mail to Hannihr, or comment below on this article. See you in game, folks!

The Tone Deaf Minstrel

Mousey the Minstrel was renown

For his ‘talent’ in his singing

His tone deafness, to him, unknown

Villagers’ ears would be ringing!

For those who heard his awful voice

Would howl in pain and hold their ears

“Give us silence and we’ll rejoice!

We’ve tolerated him for years!”

One night when Mousey was in bed

The townsfolk made an evil plot

“We’ll cut away those strings instead,

Then all his songs can be forgot!”

The folks crept up to his small house

With a ladder to the first floor

“We will creep in through like a mouse

And his songs will be nevermore!”

They approached his bed, scissors ready

To cut the strings of his dear lute,

Holding their weapon a-steady

When one man tripped! SMASH! “Shh!! Be mute!”

“Hey! Who goes there?” the dwarf cried out

Poor Mousey’s heart was now racing

“How did all of this come about?”

Standing now, to the group facing.

“We wish you stop and hear us speak:

You are tone deaf, silly Minstrel!

You do not hum, you rather squeak,

You do not sing, you simply yell!”

Mousey replied, boastful and proud

“I am a dwarf of Khazad Dum,

Yes dwarves will shout, I am allowed!

Now leave me be or I’ll kick your bum!”

A Warden Afraid of Splinters

A Warden of noble descent

In the Old Forest he would dwell,

With beard brown and javelin bent

This strange fear we could not foretell:

To some of us we fear the dark,

Insect bites or a mighty height.

But to our brave Friend of the Mark

A splinter can be quite the fright.

Spear and javelin he would wield

Strengthening his agility,

Let’s not forget the wooden shield

Unfathomable ability!

One morning carving his new spear

He heard the charging of a boar,

The tusks our warden did not fear

But in agony he did roar!

The pig missed his Warden prey

Slipping on the wet morning grass,

Poor Celebrimbus’ delay

Caused a splinter into his ass.

“Oh you vile pig! Away with you!”

He cried, throwing his javelin.

“Leave me be, good riddance! Now shoo!”

And off the boar went travelling.

“Oh what am I to do with this?

A damn splinter in my butt cheek!

I’m in a terrible crisis…

This will hurt my butt for a week!”

And so he wore a thick, grey cloak

With gear to evade a splinter,

But still his fear of Elm and Oak

Will haunt him ‘til next winter!


You will now be known as Man-at-Arms Celebrimbus Splinterbottom, Warden of Annúminas to those you meet in your travels.

Feeling horny...

Two little kegs... too many Dwarfs!

Trewesdei, the 6th day of Wedmath (Tues 6th Aug)

It was an unwise decision to place two kegs in the kin house. Even more so to inform my fellow dwarfish kinsmen. I had, of course, neglected the warning of my fellow officers - Ulgur the minstrel dwarf of the Blue Mountains - had recently discovered the delights of ale and had developed a love of its taste.

If only I had taken heed of their words.

I was sitting peacefully in the office atop the stairs of our kin house when the tapping began. Little taps at first, like a woodpecker at its tree. I thought nothing of this, and continued my studying of Elvish battles of times long past. I had finished my research on the battle of the Last Alliance, ready to take my rest... when the window by the kinship door smashed in. Immediately I took my shield and sword to arms. Years of fights won have prepared me for this moment. A protector of the weak, I was the Guardian to the kin, and the Enemy had attacked our home.

"FOR STORMBORN!" I yelled, charging into the hallway, sword raised and ready to strike. It was here that I realised the kin drunk, Ulgur, had been on a "boozer" and lost his keys to the house, using his axe instead. Of course, his quest was to continue using our Sinister Keg.

I lowered my sword, and sighed deeply. "Dwarfs..."

Behind the character.

I have written a few articles now, and thought I would tell you a little about myself. My name is Hannah, and I am a psychology student in the United Kingdom. I joined Lord of the Rings Online about 2 and a half years ago.

In my apartment at University.

I've read most of Tolkien's Legendarium with my favourite books being the Silmarillion and the Hobbit. I began playing LOTRO with my girlfriend, and loved the atmosphere of the community as well as the game's design.
I love art, and use a lot of creativity when writing blog posts (hence my own GIFs and calligraphy). I develop my art when I can, and have created a few graphic designs for companies across the UK.
I'm keeping this brief as I am on holiday at the moment with my girlfriend on the south coast of England. It is quite beautiful here.