Well, its been a while since we had an update on the front page, so seeing as free to play is now just around the corner (Sept 8th!) lets talk a bit about it and what it means to CoE.

Aside from getting some sorley needed new content, expect to see an influx of new and old faces around. We have had quite a slow summer due to A) it being summer and B) no new content in forever + a day, and this is normal and to be expected. What is also to be expected is old friends returning to check out the new content and new friends brought about by the free to play model.

With the influx of new and returning members, it is important that we all remember our family friendly atmosphere needs to be preserved. Some people are going to have a million questions (a million and four of they are brand new to the game) so please do your best to help out answering questions and lending a hand as your time permits.

One of the highly anticipated (or dreaded in some cases) changes coming are the revamp of the classic instances. Places like the great barrows, CD, UrU and helegrod have been revamped and are now scalable. We will defenatly be organizing some kin outings to see the new changes, and with the addition of scaling to the instances as seen in the current skirmishes, this means we are no longer going to have to put together a group based around the origional level requirements for some of the instances.

Also of note, the new turbine store is going to be offering some items that have been highly debated in beta as going against the convenience over advantage model that was promised to us when the store was first announced. I want to make it clear that in no way shape or form are we going to require people to buy stuff from the store to participate in raiding once we get that ball rolling again. The only things that will be required for raiding are things that can be crafted in-game and the desire from you to tackle this dificult content

All in all, I'm pretty excited about all the changes coming, new skills, new landmass, new instances, fixes, changes, new and old friends returning. It all sounds like a pretty good deal for a free update. I hope you are all as excited as I am.

~Mal

With the release of Mirkwood Council of Eriador has added two new forums to our lorebook section!

We are pleased to bring you the Mirkwood quest zone found here, which will contain everything from rare monster spawn locations to tips on the new raid content and everything in between!

We have also launched the Skirmish forum found here. You can post tips, tricks, and anything else you have found out about the skirmishes to make everyone's life easier.

Thanks

~CoE

The Council of Eriador is a Lord of the Rings OnLine kinship on the Brandywine server.  (Rank 10 as of 5/27/2008! Hooray!)

We are a group of mature folks (of ALL ages) who greatly enjoy the Lore of Professor Tolkien as well as this fine game from Turbine.

We have both casual and "dedicated" players!  We also have occasional role-players, non-role-players and "sometimes I am sometimes I'm not" role-players!  If we know you are a role-player, most of us will do our best to play along with you! (Note:  we try to be role-play friendly-- but we are not a true role-play kin).

We are NOT  "l33t", "phat-lewt", or end-game raid fanatics.  We are not power-levelers.  We believe the journey is just as important - maybe more so! - than the destination.  It is not so much about getting to the "end", but about getting there together.  We will do end-game content - when and as we have enough members that are ready for it, including raids.  We occasionally PVMP, but likewise, it is not a major focus for us and we even have a tribe for those who like to occasionally creep.

We place a high value on the friendship and camaraderie of playing in this world together.

Our latest photos! Click Here!

We have some simple requirements for our members:

You must register on the Our Forum page to be promoted to member status.  Please use the name of your primary character in-game.  (Do not use the officer registration on the home page!)

In Game, please update your player note on ALL of your characters with the full list of your main and alts (i.e;  Linwe / Enelya / Linarwen / SallyAnne / Denalynne.  (Kin panel, button at the bottom, Update Your Note).  To view notes, click the > next to Location in the heading.

Treat one another and all you fellowship with courteously and respectfully.
Do your best to uphold an honorable reputation for yourself and the kin.  Do NOT grief other players -- even if you feel they deserve it!  Take the "high road" always!
Maintain family-friendly language in all in-game channels, ventrilo, and this site's forums. (Please, no cussin' and no using ANY diety's name in vain!)
Be helpful and supportive to your kinsmen and kinswomen.
Be cool-- Register on our forums and check them regularly--participate too!
Be cool--Check this site regularly too! We update it pretty nearly every day!
Be cool--Install Vent. it is SOOO much better than in-game and we will require it for any kin-sponsored stuff
Do not buy gold or use any "hack", period.  It will not be tolerated.
Help support the kin house -- those weekly fees are steep!
Have FUN!