Thanks for picking up the Small group flyer!

If you are here, it's likely because I spoke with you personally or you followed the link on the flyer from Harvest Church on Sunday.  Welcome... thanks for checking this out!

Here is the "plan", the schedule:

June 2 - June 9th - update the Blog, recruit players, play LOTRO, make display for small group fair on June 9th.

• Want to play but not sure your computer will be able to handle the game? Test your system for playability.
• This will take you to Can you Run It?  Type: Lord of the Rings Online in the search for a game box and install the various Java applets.  It'll run through a series of tests that will check to see if your machine has the guts.  LOTRO is an older game so it's not as intense on the system as newer games are.
• If the result is borderline fail, try LOTRO anyway.  My wife's laptop failed by virtue of the onboard graphics chipset, but we play on it fine.
• If you feel up to it, try the Mines of Moria expansion too.  It's a bit more intense that the original install.
• If you want, begin download and set up account.
• Try out the classes and see what you like, starting guides here on LOTRO.com and here on lotro-wiki.com. 
• Oh and here is a HANDY key map in case you like that kind of thing (wish I had discovered this sooner): 

June 9th: Recruitment Fair at Harvest Sunday morning.  

• It's recommended that you get the game downloaded, installed and ready to go as soon as possible.  
• There is a Level 1 starting quest to get you introduced to the basic game play.  Then from Level 1-5/6ish, depending on how you play, there is a starting area that further teaches you about your class, and sets the tone of the stories.

June 11th: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- The Set Up

• This is the first official meeting.  LOTRO has an in-game voice chat client that is decent, but it requires that all the players talking on it be in the same fellowship (small group) which can interfere with some quest lines if you have a large group together and are not out of the starting areas.  
• We will be using a Ventrilo server for our chat so that we can always have voice chat available in game or while setting up.
• Details on this server will follow.
• It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you have a headset in order to be able to interface vocally in game.  It is possible to use webchat mics that are embedded in laptops however they can be prone to much more background noise as well.  Any computer/gaming headphone-mic set will do as long as it works.
• Ideally for the group, we should be leveling at roughly the same pace.  So if you ready to dive into LOTRO head on, I would suggest having 1 character exclusively for group play and use the other free slot for playing more often on other nights if you wish.  
• This is subject to adjustment if the group is composed primarily of experienced gamers that do not need to be assisted through the starting levels.

June 18th: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- Leveling past the starting areas

• Good news... time to play! Not as good news for LOTRO - I (Eric) will be at youth camp with the Switch180 Student Ministry from Harvest so I will not be able to join this night.  I will have others online for questing, grouping, questions, morale support, etc.
• For this session, let's aim to get everyone at least past the starting areas of Archet (for Men and Hobbits) and Thorin's Gate (Dwatves and Elves).  This will put your charater into "the real world" and able to run together more readily.  
• After the starting zones, the story splits based on race.  Elves head to Celedonim, Dwarves stay in Thorin's Gate, Hobbits go to the Shire and Men stay in Archet to help rebuild. 
• This is also a great time to check out the wonderfully developed crafting system in LOTRO. Make your own armor, weapons, food, scrolls, etc. Great articles here on Lotro-wiki.com.
• Our goal for the first big group content (6 man dungeons and skirmishes) is level 20 in Bree. 
• There are several quests in each zone that are labeled as small fellowship (3 man) on level due to more powerful monsters or sheer numbers, so you're welcome to begin grouping anytime you want.
• I've taken a fresh character from creation to 20 in about 8 hours game time, but that's because I didn't read all the stories on the way.
• LOTRO is RICH with bits and pieces of the Lord of Rings books, so you are really missing out on much of "awesome" that is LOTRO if you rush through.  So that's why I'm not pushing the timeline to level uber fast.
• I figure we should have no problem getting to level 20 in about 4 sessions or by July 2nd.

June 25th: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- Leveling 10-15 or so

• Continue leveling and following the story line.  Each starting area has it's own quest lines and a unifying EPIC quest line that will eventually lead you to the Prancing Pony in Bree to speak with Aragorn.  
• This is about Level 14-16.
• This is the end goal for this session. 

July 2nd: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- EPIC VOL I, Book 1 Chapters 1-8, and Bree-Land questing

More will come as we level and play.