Starting Lotro - The Install

Here are a few links/tips to start playing LOTRO:

 Step One: Sign up
Follow the link above to the LOTRO sign up page.  It's free to play.

You'll be taken to a screen where you can choose to download the type of install, MAC or PC.  There is an option to get more details on a purchasable upgrade.  The upgrades are nice as they unlock perks in game like extra bag space, more currency you can hold and a ready to use horse (faster travel).

It's a big file. It will take a while to download.  I think the download client is smart enough to restart if it's interrupted.  I think it took about 4-5 hours on my 6 Mb fancy ADSL connection about a year ago.  It would take less time on the cable connection I have now.

Step Two: Wait.
While you are waiting, here is a link to the "Quick Start Guide".  This guide was put together several years ago when the game still came on CD, but it's got all of the essential basics in terms of controls, Races and Classes, game mechanics and even maps of the starting areas.

Here are more links to things to read if you want more information on various game parts.

• http://lotro-wiki.com/ -- It's a wiki for LOTRO.  Almost everything can be looked up here.  Class details, quests, items, crafting, you name it.
• http://lotro.mmorsel.com/ -- This blog has lots of tips for the F2P (free to play) Lotro gamer.  Tips on level content, crafting resource hotspots, where to go to earn TP (Turbine's store currency that unlocks content like quest packs.)
• http://casualstrolltomordor.com/ -- fan run site with lots of guide, even hairstyles!

More to come.

Kinship

In the world of LOTRO, groups of organized players are called "Kins".  This is similar to the guild or clan of other games.  Basically, it's an in-game club for players to get together to play.  The single biggest benefit to joining a kin is a separate tab that immediately lets you see which other kin members are online without having to individually flag them as friends.

As such, the Kin: Fellowship of the Unashamed was created for this group for that purpose. I tried to name it linked through LOTRO, but that name was already taken.  More to come tonight.

Zebulous - Lore Master - In front of the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree
Current Leader of the Fellowship of the Unashamed

Linked through LOTRO

This is the first post!  WOOT!

Linked through LOTRO was created for two reasons:

• I play Lord of the Rings Online and I want to play with more folks.
• I want to meet people and encourage them to be the best "them" they can be.  

Lord of the Rings Online is the venue or medium if you will.  So in the coming days, weeks and/or months I will use this blog to talk about dates and times of online meetings and events.  I'll share tips and links to my favorite LOTRO related archives.  Screenshots from adventures, hopefully some of tough instances beaten on Hard Mode.  

If you are interested... comments are appreciated or you can Log on to World: Silverlode in LOTRO and look for me online.  Kiread, Oggili, Alcwyn, Stargul, Foldro, Zebulous and Theosigwerth are almost always looking for on level company to run with.  (Yeah, I know I'm an Alt-o-holic. Probably going to start a kin soon with my wife's set... :) )

Here are some links for starters:

• Lord of the Rings Online -- the official site and were to download the game and links to creating an account.
• LOTRO Forums -- the LotRO formus... thriving player created articles on anything and everything LorTO related.
• LOTRO is an MMO, and there are terms get to know. -- Massively Multiplayer Online Role playing Game... IN MIDDLE EARTH!  How cool is that!  Seriously though, this was my first MMO and I was clueless as to what phrases like this meant:  "Quit QQing, Too much aggro from AOE DPS caused the wipe. We'll regroup at the rez ring, buff up and try again.  Let the tank hold threat this time and keep the adds off the mini."  This is the guide to begin to learn the lingo.

I will have more up and the days go on.  Looking forward to the friendships that will begin as we embark on this journey.