#LOTRO: It’s been a long time, baby…

Work has been a swine. It still is, but a little less so hence this post (assuming I ever get to finish it, let alone post it). I’ll keep it quick because I don’t have much time – here we go…

Ranhold – Man, Champion, Historian, Master Expert Weaponsmith & Master Scholar. Level 44

I’ve really not had much time for gold old Ranhold in the last couple of weeks. He remains at level 42 and in Evendim on the cusp of entering Annuminas at long, long, loooong last. In the meantime I have whisked him away to Bag End so he could explore Bilbo’s Haunted Cellar (which was amazing – well done Turbine!). Now work has calmed down, and after listening to the latest Evendim-themed episode of Shipwreck’s wonderful podcast “Beneath your Feet…”, and seeing how Keltorn has managed to help Nimlarn, Hocko & Gorfrik move up their crafting ladders with yew, lebethron & dwarf-iron, I’ve decided that I will be taking Ranhold through the rest of Evendim now before returning to the Epic Storyline in the Misty Mountains.

Gorfrik – Dwarf, Hunter, Armourer, Master Metalsmith & Artisan Tailor. Level 27

Gorfrik has been stuck over a workbench or forge using up stacks of the materials gathered by Keltorn – slowly but surely he’s moving up the crafting levels helping me become very self-sufficient.

Nimlarn – Elf, Minstrel, Woodsman & Master Expert Woodworker. Level 22

Pretty much the same as Gorfrik – all the yew and lebethron wood Keltorn has collected has pushed him up a woodworking level or two at long last.

Hocko – Hobbit, Burglar, Tinkerer & Master Jeweller. Level 20

Poor Hocko, he just sits in Esteldin like a forgotten dog tied up outside a shop hoping his master will come out soon and give him a hug.

Rolcko – Hobbit, Guardian, Yeoman, Supreme Farmer & Master Cook. Level 32

Rolcko has been on a long holiday to see his great Aunt Rose away in the South Farthing and no one knows when he’ll return. Hopefully it will be soon as all the lads are running out of food!

Keltorn – Man of Bree, Warden, Explorer. Level 32

With Eventure gone there seemed little sense in levelling Keltron slowly through the Epic Story as was the plan, especially given he is an Explorer and therefore can collect the ore & wood so needed by my other guys for crafting. No, with his partner gone Keltorn began a blazing rise through the levels and in two weeks went from 14 to 32 taking in the Old forest, the North Downs, Evendim, the Lone-Lands and much of the Trollshaws as he collected stacks of yew, rich-iron, silver, gold, lebethron, dwarf-iron and platinum. By the time he dinged 32 the other lads had crafted him and entire suit of armour, range of weapons and set of jewellery to say thanks – and as every item was critted purple it was a pretty big thanks at that

Keltorn has still been following the Epic Storyline but that’s only for my amusement as I do quite love being part of the unfolding tale, most of his levelling has come through skirmishing and my plan is simple – keep levelling him hard and fast until he can go anywhere and gather the materials for crafting. Essentially this will mean the end to playing Gorfrik, Nimlarn & Hocko (and possibly Rolcko to a lesser extent) as they will be mere crafters now but fighting with Keltorn and Ranhold is such fun that I don’t mind (and it means I only have 2 – or 3 –  combat styles to try and remember instead of 6).

You can still read Keltorn’s adventures here and I actually do have plans to carry them on at some point.

Elsewhere…

Workworkworkworkwork and more work. Bloody work

 

The sound of an absent Burro…

Work has me by the balls right now so I’ve no time to blog. Hopefully this will change in Nov but I’m not sure yet… this looks set to be a very busy period in my life

 

#LOTRO: Back to the drawing board…

What a week. My sword mate Eventure (who played Everwyn with Keltorn) has left the game to deal with RL issues so I am once again friendless…

Ranhold – Man, Champion, Historian, Master Expert Weaponsmith & Master Scholar. Level 42

Ranhold did a fair bit this week but his much anticipated fight with Longbough the Ent was a damp squib as the instance proved to be broken. I’ve reported the bug (the final boss bad guy, a huge huron, can not be engaged in battle) so no doubt I’ll get to do it one day Other than that he’s been completing more wonderful Everdim quests and moving up the reputation tables for both the Wardens of Annuminas and the Elves of Rivendell. He also splashed out and spent about 5gp on scholar items so he could get back to crafting (hence the Rivendell rep increase) but it’s only temporary and he really needs to move to the Misty Mountains to get more of the items he needs. Aside from that he’s just spent a little time making spikes and fire-oils for Keltorn.

Gorfrik – Dwarf, Hunter, Armourer, Master Metalsmith & Artisan Tailor. Level 28

Gorfrik has been out and about in Evendim trying to collect gold, but it’s slim pickings and no mistake. Still, I have a shed-full of Rich Iron ore now which should offset Ranhold’s AH splurge

Nimlarn – Elf, Minstrel, Woodsman & Master Expert Woodworker. Level 22

Apart from making a fist carving class item for Keltorn (I now wish I’d made shield so I’ll change that tonight) and briefly flirting with the idea of making some Level 20 weapons for him as well, Nim’s been as quiet as the grave.

Hocko – Hobbit, Burglar, Tinkerer & Master Jeweller. Level 20

I’m sorry to say I didn’t get Hocko out at all, although he’s building up a nice reserve of gems from my others guys must be almost as rich as old Bilbo by now

Rolcko – Hobbit, Guardian, Yeoman, Supreme Farmer & Master Cook. Level 30

Apart from skirmishing a few times, this old warrior has had a quiet week.

Keltorn – Man of Bree, Warden, Explorer. Level 14

Ahhhh, Keltorn, my new best guy I’m still having a blast with my Warden even if I have yet to find a system to help me remember all the gambit combos Unfortunately my playmate has left so I’m not following the Epic Story with him now meaning his tales might end very soon. Instead I’m now going to level him as quickly as possible so he can collect ore and wood from all over the place for my other guys to craft with. Still, I will miss the structured group experience I had with Eve a lot.

I have been writing about Keltorn’s adventures here.

Elsewhere…

Nothing much really. Loving my Champ’s Ardour stance and hating how many steps there are in cooking recipes. Still finding and killing Rares but starting to realise the sapphire shards I’ve collected from them are pretty worthless, but that is the subject of another post…

 

#LOTRO: My Ardour for Ardour…

Remember when I said I loved playing my Champion because of the *sching sching*? Well it’s still all about the *sching sching* for me but with the excellent re-working of the class undertaken by the dev known as Orion at Turbine, it’s also now about the ducking and the weaving, the swerving and the turning. Oh yes ladies and trembleholes, the Champion finally has more than one stance that works and verily Ardour is now all good!

You see, in the dark old days of September pretty much everyone who was anyone ran their Champ in Fervour stance unless they were grouping and pulled up Glory instead to reduce threat generation. The red-headed step-child of the three stances was Ardour which managed to give you neither the raw, bollock-pounding power of Fervour nor the quiet, calm murderous abilities of Glory. To be frank, it did three parts of fuck all and was rightly ignored as I have previously mentioned.

Then Orion got his magic hands on it and suddenly it has become the only stance I solo in. Sure Fervour turns me into a mad, blood-lusting freak with little regard for self-preservation but what good is that against an on-level giant in the Evendim mountains? I’ll tell you what – bugger all is what! Every fight I was having to pop at least one if not both of my “OH SHIT!” skills and as they take an age to cooldown for another use it was a while before I could attack another. That ain’t no good nosireebob!

So on a whim I thought I’d try the new, improved recipe Ardour and POW! Love hit me between the eyes like a frieght train being driven by Axle Rose eating a crystal meth snow cone sprinkled with mutant-strength pcp! It doesn’t generate the power/fervour pips as quickly as Fervour but that doesn’t matter because my survivability shot through the frigging roof! I was standing toe to toe with nasty bastards who’d all but ground me into the dirt mere minutes before and more than that… I was winning! Slowly, or at least slower than I am used to with a Champ which I’m sure is still fast compared to some classes, but I’m winning without using my “OH SHIT!” skills. This is rather amazing. Do I feel a tear welling up in the corner of my eye? I think… I think I’m going to cry… right after I cut this Orc in to ribbons so thin I can hang what’s left of him up to dry and sell it as pasta. Hoohah!

So well done Mr Orion, sir. Well done you. There are a dozen little changes I’d like to thank you fo on my Champ but for not only getting Ardour right at last, but making it my favourite soloing stance I saulte you most of all!

 

#LOTRO: Loving The Unloved

A strange week for me, mainly because I didn’t get much time to play with Keltorn & Everwyn, something that is rapidly becoming the highlight of my gaming week. Add to that my time away from the computer both the keep my beloved happy and to celebrate our 12th anniversary and I really have felt detached from things.

Ranhold – Man, Champion, Historian, Master Expert Weaponsmith & Master Scholar. Level 42
I did take Ranhold out a little, but oddly enough after last week’s delight at questing in Evendim I removed him completely from that area and dropped him back into Esteldin & the North Downs. There was method in my maddness and I really enjoyed my time in both places, but I’m still itching to get back to my Ent friend by Lake Everdim. The reason I airlifted the big guy out was simple enough – I grew sick and tired of the number of unfinished quests he was carrying so I decided to get the bugger working hard and tackling the Small Fellowship jobs he hadn’t be able to do his 30s. I can honestly say I’ve had a great time smacking the Dourhands about in the mountains north of Esteldin as well as taking on the entire orc & troll army in the south-east single-handedly

Gorfrik – Dwarf, Hunter, Armourer, Master Metalsmith & Artisan Tailor. Level 28
Well paint me blue and call me a smurf if old Gorfrik hasn’t finally been released from crafting duties and given the chance to let loose his arrows upon the poor wargs and spiders of the Lone Lands. I took him there to mine gold after I went and emptied his over-flowing quest bag too. To be honest, the gold has been thin but the deed rewards & XP have been coming thick and fast and he’s jumped up a fair few levels in no time!

Nimlarn – Elf, Minstrel, Woodsman & Master Expert Woodworker. Level 22

Sigh. No one loves poor Nimlarn. In truth I can’t face the time it’s going to take me to learn how to play him again after the RoI update.

Hocko – Hobbit, Burglar, Tinkerer & Master Jeweller. Level 20

Although Hocko got no playing time in he did make some very nice gold jewellry for Gorfrik & Rolcko and so managed to push up his crafting a level at long, long last. I just need a lot more gold for him and I can start working on his guild rep next. I can’t see me playing this guy any other way for a loooong time to come.

Rolcko – Hobbit, Guardian, Yeoman, Supreme Farmer & Master Cook. Level 30

Too little time online meant that old Rolcko was left by the wayside. Maybe I’ll get some more skirmishes under his belt this week

Update: After typing that I was inspired to take him out and complete a few Shire quests such as The Quick Post, Lost Sheep & Brew-Master – he’s now a shade off kindred with the Mathom Society

Keltorn – Man of Bree, Warden, Explorer. Level 14

Poor Keltorn & Everwyn, my time away really impacted on our time this week. Still we have big plans for the next week or two and are even (as I type) discussing looking for a kin to join together. Personally I’m really looking forward to getting into the Barrow-Downs with her as in all my visits there what I’ve missed most is someone to watch my back (and I there’s) in what is a frankly bloody dangerous place

Both Everture and I have been writing about Keltorn & Everwyn’s adventures and you can read our accounts here and here.

Elsewhere…

That’s all folks. I’ve been updating my blog over at My.LOTRO but I’ve also opened (yet to post) one over on the revamped My.Middle-Earth.net site as well. Like the My.LOTRO one it’ll just be a mirror for a select bunch of the posts I put on my main Blog de la Burro but it’ll be nice to pick up another reader or two

 

#LOTRO: Skunkwood’s Caverns

“Please, can you take me with you?” I gazed in bewilderment at the old women half-hidden in the darkness of the Blackwold’s filthy cell. “Please,” she said again. My mouth flapped like a landed fish until I heard myself say “Of… of course…” I was going to ask who she was and how she came to be in such a foul place but behind me I heard the groans of the guards as they began to stir from whatever Amdir had done as he had burst past. I ushered the old woman out of the cell to where Everwyn was waiting with an impatient look that turned to naked exasperation as she saw my charge. I shrugged in attempt to tell her I had no idea either but I couldn’t just leave her there could I, but all I received was a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head. I was about to protest but before I could open my mouth the two guards behind me finally woke and got to their feet.

~~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~~

We had come to these caves by way of Toradan & Constable Underhill who, upon our return to Combe, were greatly concerned by our news from the Blackwold camp in Chetwood. Underhill, a doughy halfling, consoled the worried Toradan with news that if the Blackwolds had taken Amdir anywhere other than Chetwood then it would undoubtedly be to the cave system by Staddle Falls which they had long used for smuggling and other such nefarious activities. Toradan beseeched Everwyn and I to go to the caves at once while he sent word to his companions, promising that he would meet us there with assistance as soon as he could. Naturally we agreed and Underhill arranged two rough disguises in order that we would pass as Blackwolds ourselves and by stealth and guile affect the rescue of Amdir from inside the very heart of the Blackwold’s stronghold.

I have to say that I did not think much to the plan nor the disguises but the fools at the cave entrance were easily deceived and soon we found ourselves wandering through a subterranean maze in search of the missing Ranger. In truth it did not take long to find him but when we did both Everwyn and I immediately wished we had not. To this day I do not know what evil the Blackwolds and the mysterious red-robed figures who took him did to poor Amdir but the brave Ranger we had seen fighting only days before was gone and in his place we found a raving madman. Locked in a cell, he was a cowled and cloaked, ranting and screaming, cursing and then pleading to something he called “the eye” and our soothing words did nothing to placate him. When we moved to release him he burst forth like a wild horse and ran past us out of the cave and back towards the entrance. Both Everwyn and I were knocked back by some unseen force and the guards were rendered senseless, a trail of them in his path like macabre breadcrumbs.

We were about to take after this trail when I noticed a movement in the back of an adjoining cell and an old woman’s voice croaked “Please, can you take me with you?”

~~~~~~~~{}~~~~~~~~

The fight that followed was short and very one-sided. Both guards fell to Everwyn’s deadly arrows as I shielded the old woman from their enfeebled blows and it was over in an instant. I wish I could claim the same for the rest of our journey out of the caves but alas we were hampered in our pursuit of the crazed Amdir by the ponderously slow pace set by our rescued captive (who, after introducing herself as Mistress Sara Oakheart, begged that we help find her belongings along the way and bade us stop as she retrieved a most ornately fashioned staff). Blackwold upon Blackwold threw themselves at us and the sound of Everwyn’s bow and my shield sang throughout the caves as we fought them off until, at long last, we stood before their leader, the one they called Skunkwood. He was a fierce opponent and a dirty one, bellowing foul insults at us and throwing handfuls of caltrops into our faces, but we fought as one and beat down his guards and hounds until the man himself fell to a swift strike from my javelin and died cursing us both with the vilest of words.

“I thought he’d never shut up,” Everwyn said, a small smiling curling across her lips.

Before I could reply an agonised cry echoed from ahead and we looked at each other as if to say “Amdir!” before Everwyn sprinted off and I ushered my elderly charge onwards as fast as her ancient legs could manage. As I rounded the last corner before the entrance I heard Everwyn calling out “Toradan, take care! He is not himself!”

Little did any of us realise just how far Amdir had fallen and by the time we did we would count the the discovery a costly one indeed…