This time around, the mechanics don’t seem as disruptive. Gambits feel more intuitive; they allow for flexibility that I don’t associate with meat shields like guardians. My attempt at a dwarf guardian was almost as big a failure as the hobbit warden: It took too long to kill things! Wardens don’t seem to have that problem. They also feel more forgiving than champions at lower levels by having a ranged attack for pulling and self-healing for the aftermath of an overly-ambitious impulse. I’m still worried about memorizing all those gambits since I plan to give at least equal time to the latest reroll of my elven runekeeper, Banhorn, but I think I’ve conquered my carcerariphobia–for now.

It’s probably no coincidence that I’m settling down with the two Moria classes. In the early levels at least, they feel more flexible, inventive, fun to play than the original LOTRO classes. Both classes appear to be a good compromise between versatility for grouping and solo viability; I’d like to fellowship more but not become stranded on a leveling plateau if I can’t find groups. In fact, I joined a runekeeper in Limael’s Vinyard tonight. The runekeeper wasn’t particularly aggressive about healing or DPS, but we meshed well enough that Aelondwe brazenly waded into the midst of the goblins. The classes complemented each other, and I wouldn’t mind a regular pairing with a runekeeper. It’s ironic that Aelondwe and Banhorn would make a great duo.

Some of the web chatter about wardens that got me curious  …

• LOTRO Reporter’s Wardens grabbing all the attention
• CSTM’s Poll: Soloing Class

http://my.lotro.com/_tags/feed

This RSS feed is like the new “Player News” widget on the my.lotro homepage but much more powerful. Finding great blogs–especially new ones not yet featured by Turbine–isn’t just luck anymore. Making it easy to discover blogs is a huge missing piece to making my.lotro a vital online community, and that just got easier.

Not sure what RSS is or how to use it? It’s a way for websites to publish a list of what’s new, and it allows special programs called RSS readers to bring what’s new directly to you. Some browsers and email programs support it, but the Google Reader website is my favorite tool by far. It works everywhere, including on my iStone iPhone.  Check out this video for the best jargon-free explanation on the web:

RSS in Plain English

I wouldn’t know about this feed if not for the Blogmoot–despite being an RSS junkie and vocal advocate of the technology. That’s why our Blogger Manifesto includes publicizing and enhancing features like this. Want to help shape the my.lotro blogging community? Blog about it: I’ll be watching the feed for you!

For more on the Blogmoot:

• The Great Blogmoot!
• Minutes of the Spring Blogger Gathering 2010
• Blogger Manifesto: What we want from Turbine

“Let me see how you have done.” Haerandir reached out for it.

Banhorn cringed before offering up the misshapen thing to his instructor. They had become close friends in his short time at Edhelion; just talking to another with Sight was a comfort. Many here mirrored the severity and timelessness of the vast snow-covered mountains encircling the refuge, but not Haerandir. He was only a few years older than Banhorn. Centuries of suffering and loss hadn’t the time to write themselves across his heart, nor would they.

Now Banhorn’s first test was at hand, and surrendering this physical incarnation of failure sent the icy north wind racing right up his spine. Haerandir turned the stone over a few times, then gently traced the runes while murmuring softy; tiny blue sparks played across the stone’s surface and licked at his finger. He nodded approvingly, then mimicked Master Talagan’s imperious tone: “I suppose it is adequate, my young apprentice. Let us review the improvements I expect to see finished before tomorrow’s sunrise.”

The joke was lost on Banhorn who failed anything more eloquent than choking and gasping in response. Haerandir couldn’t conceal a smile at catching his student off guard any longer. Crimson burned across Banhorn’s face as the choking and gasping sounds escalated.

“No, mellon, it is fine. Truly. It is a masterpiece compared to my first attempt. My teacher said he’d seen more legible marks on trees clawed by rabid bears! Then it blew up in his hand. From my bad crafting or the sheer spite that possessed the stone? I cannot say. Your next will be better, but this one will not …”

Haerandir words trailed off as the vision took him. The far-away look, the gasp of surprise and pain, the overwhelming sadness afterwards–it came more often lately. He refused to discuss it. Banhorn reached out to steady him, grasping Haerandir’s shoulder. Sparks erupted from the rune stone and clawed across Haerandir’s arm to ground themselves in Banhorn’s hand.

He cried out as his arm went numb and his knees buckled. For a moment Banhorn saw the workshop in ruins. Years of ice covered the rotten remains of workbenches. Soot caked crumbling walls. Snow swirled in through the collapsed half of the ceiling. He struggled to soak up details before the vision passed. There was also a sound–maybe picks clanging against stone in the distance–before reality reasserted itself. The smoking stone fell to the floor with a sickening organic thud.

A watcher’s horn sounded from the courtyard.

A gentle knock at the door broke the enchantment. “Master Banhorn? The caravan master has sent word that trouble on the roads will delay your departure a few days. Shall I bring you breakfast?”

“No, Nereniel, I will dress and be down shortly. Thank you.” The idea of breakfast in bed, something his mother would never have allowed, brought a smile to Banhorn’s face. Better to enjoy every moment of a few extra days of urban bustle. Home seemed as cool, quiet, and changeless as the encircling Ered Luin themselves. This was a place always busy with new tasks and filled with new faces passing through on their way West.

The growing dangers along the way to Edhelion were no longer just disorganized bands of goblin raiders; they were better equipped and trained. Banhorn came here to join a caravan taking supplies to the distant elven refuge; making that journey alone and along mountain paths was out of the question with the goblins so emboldened. There were whispers that the goblins did not act alone, that they served another master who envied and despised the elves of Lindon.

Banhorn had seen a goblin once; it ventured too close to the settlement, and the defenders had peppered it with arrows for its boldness or carelessness. It was an ugly and twisted thing for sure, but a darkness effused it that few could see. Such sight is what took him to Edhelion to study the ways of Rune craft and explore the greater mysteries behind–and within–all things. However, those secrets could wait a few more days. There were mysteries here in Mithlond to uncover–starting with what marvels Nereniel had prepared for breakfast this fine seaside morning!

Barley isn’t the fastest horse in the stable but still faster than travelling on foot–marginally so even if you’re a hunter or warden–for an affordable 220 silver coins. On the way, a wolf decided that a late night horse (or elf!) snack was just the thing: Fortunately, Barley was barely faster!

Banhorn begins The Harrowing

Was this Orthanc? He glanced out a window; the waters of a great lake stretched to the horizon with no sign of the Fangorn or great Ring of Isengard. The architecture and furnishings–even his ill-fitting, course robe–were alien, as if this were not Middle Earth at all. No, this land was Ferelden. Was Middle Earth the dream from which he’d just awoke?

A giant of a man towered over him, spoke in confidence to him as if a close friend. The name ‘Jowan’ came to mind, and a sense of years of camaraderie started to replace the strangeness and wrongness that clung to this … fellow apprentice?

This place could be a barracks or a prison. Sleeping racks and chests cluttered the arc of the room where men and women–no other elves–went about their business. They were all giants! Or perhaps the memory of elves as taller and fairer was also a wisp of dreams past?

Conversations halted as an armored figure strode into the room, scanned it, and marched towards Banhorn. No heraldry of Gondor or the lost dynasties of Man adorned the elaborate metalwork. He spoke.

“Come, the First Enchanter summons you. It is time for your Harrowing.”

Yes, I have succumbed to Dragon Age: Origins as well as the holidays and prolonged craziness at work. LOTRO’s also on hold until the release of Siege of Mirkwood, not that I’m anywhere near actually adventuring there or even participating in skirmishes. I await the changes to combat and especially the Lone Lands update fo Banhorn of Lindon’s reboot.

Until then, Banhorn of Ferelden has darkspawn to slay, an archdemon to vanquish, and a little romancing to do along the way!

Assists happen. I don’t mind when it’s help. Sometimes that’s real “Oh crap!” help, but it might be noob zeal or pro role-playing. It’s all good. I can forgive when it’s an accident. It’s easy for ranged classes to attack my target if they see the mob and not me.

However, I doubly hate obvious kill-stealing. First, I hate it because it flies in the face of proper etiquette and the spirit I think many in LOTRO have. Second, I hate it because it doesn’t work. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand how experience works in the game. So they cause harm and get no benefit for it. Mean AND stupid!

I’m torn when I’m the one in the position to give assistance. The RP’er in me wants to charge in and help if that’s what my character du jour would do. The gamer (or maybe the urban hermit) in me doesn’t want to intrude or ruin what might be a really triumphant moment.  So I check the relative health, power, and level before doing anything, then position myself to help. I jump in when I would be reaching for an “Oh crap!” button if I were in the other person’s elven boots.

One thing I’ve started doing lately that is assist-ish is pulling nearby mobs to make sure the person I’m helping doesn’t accidentally pull them and get into real trouble. That avoids the penalty and keeps me close enough to help if needed.

How much? A 6-member fellowship gets a whopping 116% experience bonus, so each kill is worth over twice its solo kill value. A fellowship member gets 36% of what the solo experience would have been–not the 17% you’d expect from dividing the solo experience by 6–and you kill mobs much, much faster. That’s a higher “XPS” for individuals and a huge bump to the total experience awarded. (All else equal–your mileage may vary based on level disparity in the fellowship.)

Turbine did a brilliant job engineering this. It discourages power leveling and kill stealing while promoting teamwork. The shame is if people don’t understand or even know about it, they will continue to make bad choices that end up hurting everybody.

Related Lorebook articles

• Mechanics: Fellowship
• Mechanics: “Assist” Exp Penalty

That’s when Volund appeared. ”We sail north, Elf. Your time is almost…” Finding two armed elves where he expected one helpless one, he shouted, “… intruders? Attack! Come to my aid, you worthless thin-beards!” Two more dwarves burst from the hatch. Their advance forced the elves to fall back against the railing to avoid being surrounded.

Both sides paused, sizing up the situation before resuming the fight. Stars shimmered in the cold mountain air. Waves lapped against the side of the ship. Despite the dire circumstance, the moment filled Ael’s heart and he sang out,  ”A Elbereth Gilthoniel! A tiro nin!”

One dwarf blanched, dropped his weapon, and leapt into the water.  The other crumpled lifeless to the deck as Avorthal’s blade found its mark in that instant. Then Avorthal screamed, “You shall not escape me, villain!” and leaped after the terrified dwarf. Two figures shrank into the distance as the two remaining combatants with mouths agape stared dumbly after them from the deck of the Irestone…

Elf overboard!

Camenecium.com