Learning LOTRO: Lesson Twenty-Eight - Captain Class

In this series, I talk about various aspects of The Lord of the Rings Online. This series is meant for newcomers, but may also help veteran players find more to love about the game.

It's time for the seventh class-focused entry in the series! Today we get to talk about the Captain class! For several years, the only race that was able to play this class was Man -- until the Mordor expansion in 2017. With that expansion, we were gifted with a new playable race: the High Elf. The High Elf has the capacity to be a Captain also, and a graceful one at that. So today we will also get our first look in the series at the High Elf race (which must be purchased either as part of the Mordor expansion or from the LOTRO store for 1000 Points).

This is only my third Captain, but I still feel confident in my ability to discuss it. It is a pet class like the Lore-master, but instead of creatures a Captain can summon heralds. (We'll talk about those later on in the entry, so be sure to read to the end!)

Per the established method, the theme this time was "red" and "sky," so I used Welsh to come up with Tanllyd, or literally "fiery." Being a High Elf from the Second Age, she is familiar with war and was one of those who brought it directly to Sauron's doorstep!

The following is a basic summary of the creation process and some of the things you'll encounter when you start out in LOTRO with a Captain and/or High Elf.

Soundtrack Saturday: The Binding of Isaac

In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is The Binding of Isaac by Edmund McMillen.

Wishlist Wednesday: Decay of Logos

In this weekly feature, I share game titles from my various gaming wishlists. I share screenshots and video from the developer, talk about my expectations, and generally just ramble about why the title made it onto my list in the first place. This week's choice is Decay of Logos by Amplify Creations.

Learning LOTRO: Lesson Twenty-Seven - Minstrel Class Quests

In this series, I talk about various aspects of The Lord of the Rings Online. This series is meant for newcomers, but may also help veteran players find more to love about the game.

It's time for us to check back in with our fifth character, the suave Toneirin. Our floral-clad and debonair musician has grown up a bit and has had to face the Minstrel Class Quests. These quests rely on the unique talents of the Minstrel Class and put every Minstrel to the test!

Soundtrack Saturday: Divinity - Original Sin 2

In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is Divinity: Original Sin II by Larian Studios.

Wishlist Wednesday: Bayonetta

In this weekly feature, I share game titles from my various gaming wishlists. I share screenshots and video from the developer, talk about my expectations, and generally just ramble about why the title made it onto my list in the first place. This week's choice is Bayonetta by Platinum Games.

Learning LOTRO: Lesson Twenty-Six - Kinships

In this series, I talk about various aspects of The Lord of the Rings Online. This series is meant for newcomers, but may also help veteran players find more to love about the game.

If you're a new player or someone who hasn't played an MMORPG before, then I will do my best to introduce to you a very important aspect of them: Kinships. In most other MMORPGs, they are called "guilds," and allow players to form large groups within the community. Sometimes they are started by a group of pre-existing friends who want to play the game together long-term, and sometimes they're started by one or two people who then shape the group after a particular purpose and invite anyone who shares their interests.

Whatever the reason behind their creation, Kinships serve a critical role in Lord of the Rings Online. Not only do they act as the glue that holds players together within the community, they help organize like-minded players together so they can better achieve their goals within the game. Let's discuss!

Soundtrack Saturday: Armello

In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is Armello by League of Geeks.

Wishlist Wednesday: KeyWe

In this weekly feature, I share game titles from my various gaming wishlists. I share screenshots and video from the developer, talk about my expectations, and generally just ramble about why the title made it onto my list in the first place. This week's choice is KeyWe by Stonewheat & Sons.

Learning LOTRO: Lesson Twenty-Five - Fellowships

In this series, I talk about various aspects of The Lord of the Rings Online. This series is meant for newcomers, but may also help veteran players find more to love about the game.

If you're familiar with the works of Tolkien, you know all about The Fellowship of the Ring: the 9 companions who left Rivendell together on a journey to take the Ringbearer to Mordor in order to destroy the Ring of Power in the fires of Mount Doom.

If you're not familiar with the works of Tolkien, then the easiest way I can describe a Fellowship is a Group. In most MMORPGs, you group up with other players in order to tackle dungeons which require a specific number of people. For whatever reason, that number in LOTRO is 6.

Soundtrack Saturday: Shovel Knight

In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is Shovel Knight by Yacht Club Games.

Wishlist Wednesday: Driftland - The Magic Revival

In this weekly feature, I share game titles from my various gaming wishlists. I share screenshots and video from the developer, talk about my expectations, and generally just ramble about why the title made it onto my list in the first place. This week's choice is Driftland: The Magic Revival by Star Drifters.

Learning LOTRO: Lesson Twenty-Four - Beorning Class

In this series, I talk about various aspects of The Lord of the Rings Online. This series is meant for newcomers, but may also help veteran players find more to love about the game.

It's time for the sixth class-focused entry in the series! Today we get to talk about the Beorning race-class! Race-class? That's right, Beorning is both a race and class! It's unique in that regard and means this will be an unusual entry. Very unusual.

This is only my third Beorning, but I have lengthy experience with the race-class: I made my first one on the first day the race-class was available back in 2014. It was... a rough start, and I'm happy to say there have been many improvements to it since then. I even wrote about Beornings in the early days of this blog: The Right to Bear Arms. (I have no shame, I know.)

Per the established method, the theme this time was "rose" and "bear," so I used Welsh to come up with Rhosynarth, or literally "rose bear." She's a tough bear in touch with her feminine side, and probably the only character I'll ever put in pink.

The following is a basic summary of the creation process and some of the things you'll encounter when you start out in LOTRO with a Beorning.

Postcards for Pledges: Promotion Wrap-Up

A quick entry to discuss what did (and did not) happen during A Month of MMORPGs and the Postcards for Pledges promotion.

Soundtrack Saturday: Sayonara Wild Hearts

In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is Sayonara Wild Hearts by Simogo.