Episode 52 - Christmas Shopping in Dunland

Hi all

In this episode we cover the following:

News:
Aragorn will NOT cameo in the Hobbit!
http://blastr.com/2011/11/viggo-mortensen-says-he-w.php

Holmes gets the scoop on The Hobbit!
http://blastr.com/2011/11/want-to-see-the-1st-hobbi.php

Gandalf almost quits over Magneto
http://blastr.com/2011/11/how-sir-ian-mckellen-almo.php

PJ's take on 3D
http://blastr.com/2011/11/peter-jacksons-latest-vid.php

LOTRO - Mithril Edition
http://www.lotro.com/news/latestnews/1482-lotro-mithril-edition

Update 5:  Quest Notes Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1579-update-5-volume-iii-book-5-quest-notes-developer-diary

Game Reviews:
Big Game Releases
http://blastr.com/2011/11/21-thrilling-sci-fi-and-fantasy-videogames-thatll-make-great-gifts.php


LOTR: War in the North
Elder Scrolls:  Skyrim
Star Wars:  The Old Republic

Site Seeing in Dunland

Dunland Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1464-rise-of-isengard-developer-diary-dunland-region-overview

Dunland Wiki Entry
http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Dunland

Pictures

I hope you enjoy the show!

Alberos

Episode 51 - A Little Departure

Episode 51 - A Little Departure

News

The Hobbit to premiere in New Zealand
http://blastr.com/2011/10/crikey-the-hobbits-world.php

Six new Hobbit Sketches
http://blastr.com/2011/10/6-never-before-seen-sketc.php

More F2P (or Free to Pay to Play) news
MMORPG Editorial
http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/5747/utm_campaign/MMORPG%20Daily%20Digest%20Email/utm_source/MMORPG/utm_medium/email/eatrack/elynch706@yahoo.com,8
DC Universe Going F2P
http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm/read/22403/DC-Universe-F2P-Launching-November-1.html%20/utm_campaign/MMORPG%20Newsletter/utm_source/MMORPG/utm_medium/email/eatrack/elynch706@yahoo.com,7

Painted Skeleton
http://www.lotro.com/lotrostorelimitedrelease

In Game
Discussing Lore with Shipwreck on "Beneath your Feet:  Episode 4
http://www.lotrobeneathyourfeet.com/

Exploring Northern Dunland:  Trum Dreng, Bonevales, and Galtrev
http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Dunland

My new Autumn Mount

The Hunstman Returns

Heart of the Show:  Top Gamer Moments
1  The first time getting to Meethil Harbor (WoW).  I'm not sure why this popped into my mind but it always seemed to mark the move from the early areas into the more experienced areas.
2  Watching my brother die in the cave-in encounter in Gnomergon (WoW)
3  Entering Moria for the first time
4  Wandering the shire while doing the pie and mail quests
5  My duel with Nature Lord when I was on a WoW pvp server
6  Playing a Twink in the lvl 20 BGs
7  Soloing through Garth Agarwen on my Lore Master
8  Playing any of the old D&D games like Pool of Radiance or the Ice Wind Dale trilogy
9  Finally being the top scorer in a HALO pvp battle (and then realizing how bad my competition must have been)
10  Finding the hidden lore nuggets in LOTRO (like the balrog cave painting in Moria, or the references to fallen Cardolain in the Great Barrows)

I hope you enjoy the show!

Alberos

Episode 50 - On the Eve of Isengard

Hi all

Welcome to episode 50 - On the Eve of Isengard!

News

Rise of Isengard Launches Sept 27th

ROI:  Hunter Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1412-rise-of-isengard-hunter-developer-diary

ROI:  Rune Keeper Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1436-rise-of-isengard-rune-keeper-developer-diary

ROI:  Warden Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1440-rise-of-isengard-warden-developer-diary

ROI:  Crafting
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1442-rise-of-isengard-developer-diary-crafting-in-the-westfold

ROI:  Build Your Own Dragon (sort of like Build a Bear, but it might burn down your house)
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1451-rise-of-isengard-developer-diary-how-to-build-your-dragon

ROI:  Fellowship Maneuvers
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1452-rise-of-isengard-developer-diary-the-fellowship-maneuver

Boba Fett:  Agent of Mordor / Yoda vs Balrog/Witch-King gets a Ride
http://blastr.com/2011/09/25-mind-bending-sci-fi-an.php#13

Hobbit Land?
http://blastr.com/2011/09/6-more-sci-fi-movies-that.php

Evangeline Lilly fears the Hobbit
http://blastr.com/2011/09/evangeline-lilly-reveals.php

Darth Gollum?
http://blastr.com/2011/09/12-classic-movies-improve.php

Contest Winners

ReTweet Winner:  @Everbodylovesc

Going Sight Seeing Winnner:   Hargorin of Withywindle

The Heart of the Show:  Orthanc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthanc#Orthanc

Hope you enjoy the show!
Alberos

Episode 49 - The First Mythgardian and Contest Time!

Hi all

Welcome to Episode 49 - The First Mythgardian and Contest Time!

First I want to apologize.  The audio in the last segment has some feedback.  I re-recorded the segment but continued to have the feedback issue.  I will try to get it fixed before the next episode.

Contest News!
The good people at Turbine (Thanks Sapience!) have given LOTROCast two Legendary Pre-Order Codes for Rise of Isengard.  These come with all the pre-order items, Isengard, and the quest packs ($49.99 value). We are running two contests to win one of these prizes.

Contest #1:  Twitter 
From September 8-20 people with Twitter accounts can qualify for a chance to win one of these Pre-Order codes by Tweeting:

"Isengard Rises on Sept 27th. Re-tweet for a chance to win a Legendary Pre-Order Code. Must follow @lotrocast . Contest ends Sept 20.  #lotro"

The winner will be selected at random.

Contest #2:  Going Sight Seeing
In this contest players must take an in-game photo of a famous land mark in LOTRO.  Pictures and a description of why the landmark was picked can be sent to thelotrocast@gmail.com.  A winner will be selected based on photo quality, landmark selected, and reason why it was selected.  Submissions should be sent no later than Sept 20.

News
Babysitting requires special skills
http://blastr.com/2011/08/image-of-the-day-inapprop.php

Gollum delivers another ring (seriously...when will people learn?)
http://blastr.com/2011/08/image-of-the-day-precious.php

Tolkien goes to Mirkwood
http://blastr.com/2011/08/that-controversial-tolkie.php

ROI:  Loremaster Changes
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1380-rise-of-isengard-lore-master-developer-diary

ROI:  Guardian Changes
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1386-rise-of-isengard-guardian-developer-diary-

ROI:  Minstrel Changes
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1388-rise-of-isengard-minstrel-developer-diary-

ROI:  Freep Updates
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary/1399-rise-of-isengard-monster-play-changes-freep

Alberos is the first Mythgardian!

Listener Feedback
Steven Hamner (Spirtcaller) of extra-life.org to help kids
http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=501&participantID=4757

I hope you enjoy the show!
Alberos

Episode 48 - Instanceless?

Welcome to Episode 48
News
LOTR Rules Them All!
http://blastr.com/2011/08/60000-people-say-the-grea.php

Gollum delivers the ring....much to everyone's surprise
http://blastr.com/2011/08/clueless-groom-hires-goll.php

Rise of Isengard is Instance Free....for now!
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?&postid=5624790#post5624790

Itemization isn't just for Taxes!
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1350-rise-of-isengard-developer-diary-itemization

ROI:  Captain Changes
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1370-rise-of-isengard-captain-developer-diary-

ROI:  Burg Changes
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1371-rise-of-isengard-burglar-developer-diary-

ROI:  Champion Changes
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1379-rise-of-isengard-champion-developer-diary-


In Game
Alberos skirmishes and goes back to school.

Heart of the Show
What makes an expansion?  Does Rise of Isengard fit the definition now that it doesn't have any instances? 

Listener Feedback
Panthalassia, Swords and Spirits Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzguRjc1U6A&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxoMNQ1tI1g&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=eA_ilZjiN8k

Shipwrek's New LOTRO Podcast:  Beneath Your Feet
www.lotrobeneathyourfeet.com

Doctorwhofan raises another concern over the Preorders
Is the 25%xp bonus false advertising as it only applies to monster kills?
http://isengard.lotro.com/purchase.php

Casual Stroll to Mordor's Child's Play Charities
http://www.casualstrolltomordor.com/2010/09/childsplay/

I hope you enjoy the show!
Alberos

Episode 47 - A Long Time Coming

Episode 47 - A Long Time Coming

News

Official Pics from the Hobbit
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/07/17/46145-theonering-net-exclusive-behold-thorin-oakenshield-and-orcrist/
http://blastr.com/2011/07/image-of-the-day-1st-look.php
http://blastr.com/2011/07/balin-and-dwalin-are-here.php
http://blastr.com/2011/07/bofur-bombur-bifur-1st-lo.php
http://blastr.com/2011/07/1st-look-at-the-hobbit-mo.php
http://blastr.com/2011/07/1st-look-at-two-more-of-t.php
http://blastr.com/2011/06/gandalf-and-bilbo-in.php#2
http://blastr.com/2011/06/image-of-the-day-1st-offi.php

Mythgard Institute offers studies in Tolkien
http://www.mythgard.org/

Five Ways WOW made the MMO better
http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/5395/Five-Ways-WoW-Made-the-MMO-Better.html

WOW to go F2P?
http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/15/feature/5374/World-of-Warcraft-Blizzard-Inching-Towards-F2P.html

In Game

Summer Festival Mount

Heart of the Show - Current Races and Classes and Where Could We Go From Here?

Melee
Guardian - Tank / Off-DPS
Warden - Off-Tank / Off-DPS
Champion - DPS / Off-Tank
Captain - Buffer / Off-Heals/Tank/DPS
Burglar - Debuffer / Off-DPS

Ranged
Hunter - DPS
Ministrel - Heals / Off-Buffer
Runekeeper - Heals / DPS (but only one or the other)
LoreMaster - Off-Everything

Future (Alberos's wish list)?
Dunedain as a playable race, Ranger as a playable class (Hero Class?)
Sub-Race Specific Stat Buffs
Cosmetics only available through quest lines (joining the Gondorian Guard, etc...)
Lossoth, Dundlings, etc.... as playable races

Hope you enjoy the show!

Alberos

Alberos the Powerless

LOTROCast is on hold until ComEd gets the power back to my little elven home.

Mother Nature is obviously a WoW fan....lol

Episode 46 - Alberos the Social

Welcome to Episode 46. 

Breaking News!
Major Stat Changes
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1276-rise-of-isengard-developer-diary-new-stat-updates

News
The Steed of Bright Days
http://www.lotro.com/lotrostoresale/1268-introducing-the-steed-of-bright-days

Summer Festival Starts runs from June 21-July12

LOST in the Hobbit
http://blastr.com/2011/06/peter-jackson-writes-a-ro.php

Two more cast for the Hobbit
http://blastr.com/2011/06/the-hobbit-casts-2-more-g.php

Rise of Isengard Trailer from E3
http://blastr.com/2011/06/10-best-sci-fi-trailers-f.php

The Heart of the Show:  Weather Stock 2011 and Social Gaming
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?403368-VIDEO-Weather-Stock-2011&p=5480606#post5480606



I hope you enjoy the show!

Alb

Episode 45 - Isengard Rising!

Hi all

Welcome to Episode 45 with the big news about the next LOTRO expansion.

In this episode we will cover....

News
Why so many fantasy novels suck
http://blastr.com/2011/06/image-of-the-day-why-many.php

A Czech re-enactment of LOTR
http://blastr.com/2011/06/see-violent-and-awesome-c.php

The Hobbit Movie Titles:  An Unexpected Journey, There and Back Again
http://blastr.com/2011/05/we-finally-know-the-real.php

Orlando Bloom returns for the Hobbit
http://blastr.com/2011/05/orlando-bloom-confirmed-t.php

Famous Drunken Scenes
http://blastr.com/2011/05/18-sci-fi-drunk-scenes-funnier-than-anything-youll-see-in-hangover-2.php

Steve Fry to be Major
http://blastr.com/2011/05/peter-jackson-announces-t-1.php

Ian McKellen plays with himself?
http://blastr.com/2011/05/image-of-the-day-ian-mcke.php

Mapping out the Fellowship
http://blastr.com/2011/05/infographic-3-lord-of-the.php

What I've Been Doing in Game

World Renown:  Eriador Mount

The Heart of the Show

Rise Of Isengard launches Sept 27th
http://www.lotro.com/news/pressreleases/910/1236-the-lord-of-the-rings-online-rise-of-isengard-to-launch-on-september-27th

Pre-Orders

Outfits and Mounts

The Westfold Set

Helmingas Set

The Eorlings Set

I hope you enjoy the show!

Alberos

Episode 44 - The LOTROCast Reborn

Hi all-

Well after some very irritating days the podcast is up and running.  Since taking over the podcast in January 2010 I have had to:

• Create a new website
• Create a new Cyberears account
• Create a new eMail account
• Create a new podcast feed
• Create a new iTunes account

Luckily I think that is it.  Special thanks to Cyberears for all their help during this transition!

In this episode we will cover

The News

Tolkien estate forces summer camp to drop LOTR-inspired name
http://blastr.com/2011/04/tolkien-estate-forces-sum.php

Ian Holm back for The Hobbit
http://blastr.com/2011/04/peter-jackson-confirms-ia.php

Fili leaves The Hobbit
http://blastr.com/2011/04/peter-jackson-reveals-the.php

Fili returns with King Thranduil
http://blastr.com/2011/05/peter-jackson-announces-t.php

Tolkien estate settles with novel author
http://blastr.com/2011/05/tolkien-estate-settles-wi.php

NY Times goofs Hobbit reference in sports section
http://blastr.com/2011/05/ny-times-apologizes-for-l.php

Elrond is back!
http://blastr.com/2011/05/ian-mckellen-confirms-hug.php

Update 3 - Lost Legends of Eriador announced is coming
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/book-spotlights/1178-update-3

In Game
Kindred with the Lossoth of Forochel

Heart of the Show - The Lost Legends of Eriador
2 new 3-Man Instances:  Halls of Night and Inn of the Forsaken

2 new Skirmishes:  Attack at Dawn and the Icy Crevasse

New LOTRO Store Items:  2 More Cosmetic Slots, Reset Skirmish Marks, and much much more!

Wrap-Up
39 new Twitter followers

Tell your friends the show has moved!

Thanks for all your support during this transition.

Alberos

Public Service Announcement: LOTROCast feed is going to change

Hi all-

Bad news.  The Feedburner account that redistributed the LOTROCast episodes has become corrupted, disconnected or what ever.  As this account was originally setup by Moormur, I don't have anyway of resetting the account or fixing the problem. 

What does this mean?  It means that you can still download episodes directly from the LOTROCast website or from our podcast hosting site cyberears.com, but that feeds to iTunes are permanently interrupted.

As most of my listeners are on iTunes I have no choice but to create a new LOTROCast podcast feed and to get a new account on iTunes.

As soon as I know what the new feed is I will let you all know.

Sorry for the disruption.

Alberos

Episode 43 - Taking down Ferndur

News

Peter Jackson Video Blogs on the Hobbit
http://blastr.com/2011/04/9-things-we-learned-about.php

Video of LOTRO's Legendary Car
http://blastr.com/2011/04/12-hilarious-sci-fi-tv-an.php

4th Anniversary Motivational Posters Contest
http://www.lotro.com/news/latestnews/1145-the-anniversary-motivational-poster-contest

4th Anniversary Celebration
http://www.lotro.com/news/latestnews/1143-lotro-4th-anniversary

Free People's Press (Weekly Community Roundup)
http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/The_Free_Peoples%27_Press_4-15-11

The 4th Anniversary Mount

Alberos in Game

Progress on World Renown (Wardens of Annuminas, Council of the North)
(Special thanks to Ranni, gylraen, ImJustGaying, Talyn328 and Jearly009 for all their support)

Taking down the Balrog in the Rift
(Thanks to Hexhazzard, Skullrocker, Natuli, Voalden, Izzay, Kyphur, Deri, Erynlindele, Jaharr, Raquelle, Clod)

Heart of the Show:   The Lost Temple

Special thanks to Puvi, Miq, Kirr, Dodini, and Lendelorn

Five things to remember in the Lost Temple

• If there is a small glow worm....break its induction and kill it quickly
• Don't automatically remove disease as sometimes the cure is worse
• Crowd control any of the captains (living or dead) as they pack a punch
• Keep the Twins separated
• Plan out where you drop Ferndur's "puddles"

Wrap-Up
Bumper by DocHoliday from the Sally Forth in LOTRO podcast (http://docholidaymmo.com/)

20 new followers on Twitter

Hope you enjoy the show!

Alberos

Episode 42 - Echoes of the Dead

Hi all-

Welcome to Episode 42 Echoes of the Dead

News-

Smaug is a billionaire!
http://blastr.com/2011/04/forbes-math-geek-calculat.php

Gollum to direct Bilbo?
http://blastr.com/2011/04/andy-serkis-isnt-just-gol.php

Map to Middle-Earth and other scifi/fantasy realms
http://blastr.com/2011/04/20-transporting-maps-of-y.php

Steed of Minas Ithil (Minas Morgul)
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?&postid=5315882#post5315882

In Game
Finished Vol 2

Completed the Epic Story Line through Volume 3, Book 3

Heart of the Show

Echoes of the Dead Review

Pictures of the Stone of Erech

Listener Feedback

Hope you enjoy the show.

Alb

LORECast #8 Eru Illuvatar and the Ainur

Hi all

As I am still getting into the new content I wasn't ready to do a full blown LOTROCast, but I didn't want to go another week without posting an episode.  I've been wanting to do a series of LORECasts on the Children of Illuvatar and it seemed like Illuvatar and the Ainur were a good starting point.

I hope you enjoy the show.

Alberos

Episode 41 - Awaiting the Gaunt Lords

News!

FTC is investigating F2P
http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/5014/page/1

Legendary Items Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1054-update-2-legendary-item-system-remvamp-developer-diary

Instance Cluster Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1065-update-2-instance-cluster-developer-diary

Raid:  Ost Dunhoth
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1069-update2-ost-dunhoth-raid-developer-diary

Crafting Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1055-update-2-crafting-developer-diary

Soloification Dev Diary
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1075-update-2-epic-volume-2-solofication-pass-

Updated Embedded Podcast Player
(Upper right corner)

Heart of the Show:  The Gaunt Lords

Not Cannon, but consistent with the lore

Thadur the Ravager (Representing Famine, in Great Barrows soon to be in North Cotton Farms by Oatbarton)
Drugoth the Death-mange (Representing Death, in the Dragonwing of Helegrod soon to be in Glacier Fortress (Forochel)
Ivar the Bloodhand (Representing War, in Garth Agarwen Barrows soon to be in Stonehights (North Downs))
Ferndur the Virulent (Representing Pestilience, in Imlad Bacharth (Angmar) soon to be in Lost Temple (Troll Shows)
Gortheron the Doom-caller (Representing Evil, in the Lhe Calvarn (Enedwaith) soon to be in Ost Dunhoth)

Listener Feedback

Map of Enedwaith - The Haunted Castle is in the south west

Ost Dunhoth (?)

The Vorpal Bunny

Another look at this deadly creature

Hope you enjoy the show!
Alberos