Announcements

• Gamescom 2011 is in motion all this weekend! Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook feeds for Sapience's updates from the show!
• Hungry for more Isengard information? Sink your teeth into Tim Lang's Captain and Burglar developer diaries and learn about the updates to these classes!
• Speaking of hungry beasts, we added 3 new images of Draigoch to the Rise of Isengard™ Image Gallery. You can view them here.

Characters of Middle-earth

Adventurers in the Old Forest, to the east of Buckland and the Shire, know well that very little is what it seems in those darkened woods. Many tell tales of the very trees whispering and moving, hindering the passage of travelers, many of whom become forever lost amongst the forest's shifting paths. Of these dark legends, perhaps there is none more sinister than the tale of a certain ancient willow, with a heart as dark as the forest itself. Old Man Willow, his trunk immense and his branches spreading out like enormous clawed hands, stands along the banks of the Withywindle awaiting the approach of unwary adventurers. A creature of great power, Old Man Willow is adept at luring his foes into a pleasant drowsiness in his idyllic setting along the river's meandering valley. Travelers had best be wary of his tricks, or they will soon find themselves consumed within the twisted roots and fissures of this evil forest-dweller.

Old Man Willow is certain to be well known to fans of The Lord of the Rings, and although he will no doubt be a favorite location for players to visit, those familiar with the books will also know to approach him with extreme care. Located near the home of Tom Bombadil and not far from the edge of the Old Forest and the mysterious Barrow-downs, Old Man Willow is the first of the great and ancient powers in Middle-earth likely to be encountered by players. The grumpy old tree has a dark heart, to be sure, and protects his forest realm without sympathy for interlopers into his valley. It could be said that by his actions he is merely protecting the old way of life, as the Old Forest dwindles along with other ancient stands in these dark days. Players should be careful when adventuring along the Withywindle – Old Tom Bombadil may not always be about to save the unwary, as he did Frodo and company in the pages of The Fellowship of the Ring!

If you would like to submit an article please email it to lotro@turbine.com with the subject The Free Peoples' Press--Guest Article Submission.

Community News

Laurelin's resident cookie ambassador, Bonkil, is keep a forum thread up to date with his tour through Gamescom 2011!  Check it out!

Orthanc is looming on the horizon and Massively's Justin Olivetti has written a leveling guide to get you into level range of Dunland.

Do you have a favorite cosmetic outfit? The community forums are a buzz with fashion!  Share yours with us today!

A Casual Stroll to Mordor's contests are continuing, and this time the prize is a beautiful real life cosmetic ring made by Karen Altman.  Click here and learn about how to claim the precious as your own!

Community Events

Special Events

Community-wide

Laurelin

Summer Poetry Competition

When: 1st September 2011, Methel-Stage, Hobbiton-Bywater

Where: Methel-Stage, Hobbiton-Bywater

Visit this thread for more information!

Vilya

Rise of Isengard Party

When: Aug, 29, from 10:00 am-10:00 pm, (pacific timezone)

Where: Bree Fairground in Vilya

Sponsored By: Rouge Riders

This thread had all the details!

The Community Calendar is back! Be sure to add your event here!

Recurring Events

Click here for a complete list of recurring events or click on your server below!

Crickhollow

Elendilmir

Imladris

Landroval

Laurelin

Windfola

If you have an upcoming community event that you would like listed please send an email to lotro@turbine.com with the subject The Free Peoples' Press--Community Event

Postcards from Middle-earth

Today's postcard was submitted by Armaius of Crickhollow.

Here is what he had to say about his image, "Saw this from the top of Harndirion in Enedwaith and thought the view was absolutely gorgeous. So I snapped a picture!"

Armaius, thank you for submitting this beautiful image!

Send your postcards to lotro@turbine.com with this subject The Peoples' Press--Postcards from Middle-earth. Be sure to tell us something about your postcard and who your are!