A Few More Titles (August 2011)

A new title has been bestowed upon you. You may now be known as Elahedor Taterlord (Since July 2, 2011):

Hero of Zudrugund
Defeat 255 giants in Enedwaith (Tier 2).

Avenger of the Uch-Lûth
Defeat 255 half-orcs in Enedwaith (Tier 2).

Protector of Enedwaith
Complete deeds in Enedwaith. It is not clear what deeds count toward this deed, but certainly most of the slayer deeds count. The slayer deeds including defeating Wolves/Shadow Wolves, Cuthraul and Elhudan, Dunlendings, Half-Orcs, and Wood-Trolls. Other deeds include discovering all the homesteads (Cartrev) of Enedwaith, finding all the Dwarf-makers, finding various hobbit implements, discovering all the encampments of the Grey Company, and discovering all the hobbit lamp-posts. Deeds I'm pretty sure don't count include the Fisher-King, Master of Stairs, Giant-Slayer, Gwiber-Slayer, and the various reputation for the Algraig and Grey Company.

At this point, I have 2 non-instance deeds remaining in Eriador: Tier 2 Gwiber-Slayer in Enedwaith and Tier 2 Leaders of the Invasion in Annuminas. Of course, I have plenty of deeds within the various instances to complete. What's more, all of my virtues are now above level 12 (and only one is level 12; the rest are 13 or higher).

Meet Taskli

Taskli is a dwarf Rune-Keeper, and my goal with him, as his name implies, is to complete 500 tasks. I figure I'll never be able to do this with my main or any of my other existing toons, and I would really love to have the cosmetics.

The guidelines are fairly simple: I will not complete any quests, other than to get him to level 10, just so that he's eligible for Tasks; the system opens at level 8. The only exception is any class quests, if I get high enough. Also, I will not reset my tasks at any point unless I get a reset task token by some "free" means (which does happen after completing 100 tasks).

I did purchase the extra task slots so that I can do 10 per day; I know that after completing 100 tasks, you get another free slot (for a total of 11). I'm not sure if you get another upgrade at 200, 300, or 400. As such, though, it should take around 45 days to complete the 500 tasks.

I'll try to log in every day to do something on the toon. However, life is sure to interfere, and I can guarantee a delay after Rise of Isengard is released and I return to my main toon. I'll try to post regular updates.

Right now, Taskli is level 11 (10,811/13,090xp). He has completed his first 10 tasks in Gondamon. He turned in Matted Furs, Matted Skins (x3), Matted Feathers (x2), Dull Beaks, and Dirty Wings (x3). To complete these tasks, he defeated several bears, Hendroval, wolves, and bats. During this process, he has completed the Defender of Ered Luin, Goblin-Slayer (tier 1), and Hendroval-Slayer (tier 1) deeds. He has gained 3,000 points of reputation with Thorin's Hall.

It'll be an interesting ride, and I hope it goes well!

Hint-A-Week: Class Roles in a Group.

There are the broad categories of classes:

1. Tanks: These guys are designed to take the brunt of the attack. They have high morale, wear heavy armour, and use skills to make them more threatening. They usually stare the enemy right in the face (or ankle, as the case may be).

Integral to tanking is the idea of off-tanking. Off-tanks usually grab the focus of additional MoBs, or take over for the main tank when it becomes necessary.

2. Damage: These guys are designed to inflict as much damage as possible (DPS = Damage per second). They have a solid morale, generally wear medium armour, and use skills that burn an enemy down. Most DPS classes work from a ranged position, but can steal the focus of the MoB from the tank.

3. Support: These guys provide support to the others. They have lower morale, wear light or medium armour, and use specialized skills. The classic support class is the healer. Most work from a tactical position.

The following is a run-down of the expected class role:

Burglars
Expected Role: DPS
Additional Roles: Can provide crowd-control and trigger fellowship maneuvers.

Captains
Expected Role: Support (Healing and Buffing).
Additional Roles: DPS (AoE (group) Damage)

Champions
Expect Role: Off-Tank.
Additional Roles: DPS.

Guardians
Expected Role: Tank or Off-Tanks.
Additional Roles: N/A.

Hunters
Expected Role: DPS.
Additional Roles: Some Support (Poison Removal). Can tank in a pinch (especially in 3- or 4-person instances).

Lore-Masters
Expected Role: Support (Heal Power, Debuff Enemies, Cure Wounds/Diseases).
Additional Roles: DPS.

Minstrels
Expected Role: Support (Heal Morale).
Additional Roles: DPS.

Rune-Keepers
Expected Role: DPS or Support (Heal Morale).
Additional Roles: N/A.

Wardens
Expected Role: Tank or Off Tank.
Additional Role: N/A.

As you can see, some classes are strictly defined: Guardians, Hunters, and Minstrels rarely step outside their expected roles. Other classes can change as needed: Rune-keepers and Lore-Masters can sometimes play one role, and sometimes play another.

Those classes that have dual roles also have Class Trait lines to support each role. These classes must learn to ask questions and be willing to retrait as necessary to meet the needs of the instance.

One of the hardest things I've had to come to terms with on my main, a Lore-Master, is that in a group, I am meant for support. I'm so used to doing damage that it's almost second-nature, and I feel guilty when I'm not directly helping make the enemy's green bar go down. I've been in the process of retraining myself for group content, and I'm slowly getting better at managing my own power, as well as that of the raid members. I ran the spider-wing of Helegrod this past weekend as the only Lore-Master. It took me awhile to get into the swing of things, but there were few issues with power. It took us three tries to down Zaudru, but we did it.

What's In A Name?

My Internet "handle", so to speak, is "jewahe". It's a combination of the first two letters of my first, middle, and last names (except that I changed the last letter from a to e - "jewaha" didn't have the same ring to me). I've used this username since I first signed on way back in 1998, and I have accounts all over the place under it. Pretty much, if you see that name, it's me.

When I first signed into Lord of the Rings Online, I figured I'd be able to use it. Unfortunately, it is against the in-game naming rules for an Elf from Mirkwood. As a result, I patched together a name using the base "ahe" and the on-screen rules: Elahedor.

I've never been particularly fond of the name, and I was too short-sighted to realize I'd be stuck with it. Of course, over time, I've been identified with the name.

There is an option to change the name, but it costs around $20.00, and I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money.

Anyway, today, I was playing with names, and discovered that "ghewahe" is an acceptable name. Thus, I have created a new character on Crickhollow, an Elf from Rivendell. So, now I finally have a character that somewhat matches my usual online identity.

Hint-A-Week: Hidden Treasures

One of the things I like best about LotRO is the depth of the world. The developers have spent a great deal of time maintaining a balance between the source material and the lore of Tolkien.

However, that balance doesn't stop the developers from having a bit of fun. There are all kinds of things in the world, and you often happen upon them unexpected.

There's a snowman hidden in the wilds of Ered Luin, for example - not to mention the Sand Castle on the beaches of Evendim, the Yule Tree in the withered forests of Angmar, and the Hobbit trapped in the hedges outside the Bree North Gate.

Just the other day, I was riding from my house in The Shire Homestead to Hobbiton. It's a path I've taken too many times to count, but I caught a glimpse of a field off in the distance, and it looked suprising like a heart. I veered off the path, and the closer I got, the more it took on the heart shape. It's just a small thing, and I'm not even sure it is an intentional one (though, it's safe to say that most things in game are intentional), but it reminded me again at just how much vigilence pays off, and how much you can miss if you're just in a hurry to get to the end game.

The Shire alone is filled with vignettes that are worth taking the time to witness - a marriage proposal in Overhill, the drama of teenage hobbits in Waymeet, the adventurous hobbit in his canoe outside Budgeford.

And then there are the quests. A player, Sypster, wrote an article on non-to-miss quests in The Shire: everything from chasing a Black Rider to saving a Huorn from spiders. There's even a merciful quest to help an Angmarim from Angmar.

But it's more than that. It often pays to go off the beaten track and just explore the wilds. There are places of near breath-taking beauty. Most of my favorite places involve water and waterfalls. I love the place where the lake in the northern area spills into the river that is eventually spanned by the Trestlebridge. Starmere lake near the border between The Shire and Bree-Land is striking. And then there's the valley where the Bruinen crosses into Eregion. It's a great fishing spot - serene and safe.

So, this week's hint: slow down and enjoy the ride. You never know what you might find in some dusty corner of the world.