Hidden deep within the Old Forest, Tom Bombadil’s home is a sanctuary for weary travellers and lost hobbits of all kind. The peculiar man opens the doors of his modest abode to everyone willing to sit down for a while, and listen to his stories. Decoration wise, Bombadil’s house is also one of my favourite place in Middle-Earth. Modest and enchanting, the ambiance is absolutely spot on. So even if you’re level 75, next time you’re waiting for your group to get ready, take a stroll down the forest and pay the old man a visit. It’s a place worth going back to!
Living in Middle-Earth is a new column about non-playable character’s homes in Lotro. Each week we’ll discover a new location with a distinctive way of life and decoration style, looking at the little details we often pass by.
I was a bit apprehensive about my visit to Rivendell because it felt like something everyone already knew about. We’ve all been to visit Elrond so many times, how could the Last Homely House still impress me?
So I went, just because it was on my way to the Misty Mountains. And then something happened. I stopped and look, I mean really look. That was it: I fell in love with Rivendell a second time.
Living in Middle-Earth is a new column about non-playable character’s homes in Lotro. Each week we’ll discover a new location with a distinctive way of life and decoration style, looking at the little details we often pass by.
So you thought there was only dwarves living in Moria? Oh no, no, no. There is… Orcs! Tons of orcs!! And goblins too. Let’s take a look at their lifestyle.
You know what fascinates me most about decoration? Every room tells a story.
This time, I wanted to tell a story about children. I thought a while ago about creating different child’s room and see how we could come up with various designs for the youngest. Even if children are absent from most MMOs, kids are a huge part of every societies, and they too should have their place in Middle-Earth. I hope it will inspire you to bring a touch of youth in your home this season! Enjoy!
Sweet Pea A delicate bedroom in shades of green, with the cute windmill toy!
Decorating cookies was something I wanted to do for a while now and I figured the best way to start practicing was to make once again some edible fan LOTRO fan art.
Every cookie was a three step process:
1. Make, bake and cool the cookies.
I made simple sugar cookies, but because I went a bit wild brainstorming with Goldenstar on what kind of cookies we wanted to do, I had to use something else then regular cookie cutters. For the big circles, I used a glass of water, about 3 inches wide. For the miscellaneous shapes, I took a sharp knife and cut the cookies as I wanted them. Be really sure they are cool before proceeding to next step!
Valentine’s day is coming to Middle-Earth! Join the celebrations, as we celebrate tales of love all across the land. Whether you already have found that special someone in your life or are still looking for him/her, take part of the festivities and spread the love.
Serenades and Songs
Get inspired by the Song of Beren and Luthien, as there’s nothing better then music to speak of love! Find yourself a lute and sing to your lover, to all the ladies at the Pony, or even better, get paid to sing for someone else.
My little hobbit Cassyan used to offer her minstrel services in exchange of a few coins, and made quite a nice pile of gold out of it! Visit our Music Guides if you’re looking to learn how to become a LOTRO musician. Here are some of her favourite love songs, with lyrics and ABC music sheets. Feel free to adjust the lyrics to your own story!
If you ever wanted to know what the dances look like before going through the trouble of grinding rep or completing those numerous festival quest, here is your answer!
The video bellow will show you a full sequence of dancing with every dance currently available to you in Middle-Earth. Thank you to Ketani and Goldenstar who made this video possible!
For further instructions on how to complete the dancing quests during the festival, be sure to check out Goldenstar’s great Festival Guide.
This article was originally put together back in August when we had the idea of a Girl Gamer Roundtable. We still have plans for a roundtable but see no reason to keep this held back any longer. Thank you again to the ladies (and gentlemen) willing to answer our questions!
According to ESA, current proportion of female gamers is about 42% of the total players of online game. Surprising? Maybe not, considering the general tendencies of video games to diversify their products so it may reach a broader public. Of course, this statistic also includes all kind of puzzle, arcade and family games; mmos only represent 14% of the total online gaming activity. The number is still unveiling an undeniable truth: Girl gamers are becoming more and more frequent in the virtual world.
However, stereotypes are strong, and most people still have this vision of the gaming industry being a men only compound. So my question is how, as a girl, does it affect your game to play in an environment perceived to be largely dominated by men? What problems can it generate and what to do to avoid them?
