“We plan to release Update 20 around our anniversary, which will feature a region called the Wastes,” the devs said. “Players will adventure through the bleak Noman Lands, face danger in Dagorlad, and travel to Mordor’s very Slag Hills. We will take players to the Battle at the Black Gate, which is Lord Aragorn’s last and desperate attempt to divert the Enemy from its true demise. We’ll have two capstone resource dungeons that can be played in both solo and fellowship modes in the Towers of the Teeth. Update 20 will also feature an expansion of our Flora system, reputation barter items, and more.”
On a different note, a week ago I was talking with Dr. Corey “The Tolkien Professor” Olsen about his game-and-book lectures and the new hall that Standing Stone built special for the series. Last night I took a self-guided tour around the building and took a few pictures, which you can check out after the break!
The entrance to the hall is cozy and reflect Bree’s more modern architecture. My Lore-master Lynx is mooning you all because that’s the attitude that this saucy cat has.
I was deeply impressed at the design and detail of the hall. I had assumed it would’ve been a fairly barebones place, but instead the hall is saturated with details and a university feel. There are two tiers, with players able to stand around on a balcony or down on the lecture floor itself.
Several of the walls have the maps from all across Middle-earth. There are also representations of the different major factions and countries (in particular Gondor and Rohan).
The floor of the hall (looking forward here) is laid out much like a small chapel, with alcoves on each side that contain roaring fireplaces and bookshelves. It’s got just enough furniture to keep it from feeling bare without making it too cluttered for the expected crowds.
