Thread: The Landroval Times

The site should be back up but different. In order to err on the side of caution, I wiped the entire database and decided to start everything over from scratch. As such, I've switched it so that the site is now wordpress based, which might make things a bit easier and simpler.

I'll be adding back all of the character profiles, news reports, kinships, etc. tomorrow and Monday, though I already have the events section up and running as I know there are quite a few that rely on it (leastaways that's what I gathered from the multiple DMs the twitter received asking about the events section).

Also, I've gone ahead and created a Landroval Times flickr group for anyone who wants to upload their images to the group. The latest 10 images are shown on the website. You can find the flickr group here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1948796@N23/

I also created a vimeo video group, but am unsure if anyone actually wants a video section for the website. If so, let me know and I'll work on getting that up.

Also, good news. Now that it's on wordpress, you can leave a comment on the site without having to register for an account. If you want to add articles, profiles, events, however, you will still need to register.

As always, if anyone has any questions, comments, suggestions, etc, please do let me know. Either comment here, send me a PM, or email me : admin@landrovaltimes.info

Personally i think you are doing a great job with The landroval Times and i thank you for offering it too us.
Thank you!
+rep

Well, I seem to have no way to edit the recurring event I set up on the old site.

So, to let you know, The Andune Ensemble concert for 12 March is cancelled to avoid clashing with Update 6.

Here's hoping you can get the functionality sorted so that we can have the calendar back.

Originally Posted by Keli

Well, I seem to have no way to edit the recurring event I set up on the old site.

So, to let you know, The Andune Ensemble concert for 12 March is cancelled to avoid clashing with Update 6.

Here's hoping you can get the functionality sorted so that we can have the calendar back.

I've gone ahead and edited it, as well as added you back on as the author of the event.

Unfortunately, after an attempted attack on the website, I've had to clear the database, which in effect, deleted everything from the old site. I managed to save all of the articles, profiles, events, etc. in a text file and have been adding them back in all weekend long. Since no one was registered, I've added everything back on under my own name but the second someone registers, I will more than happily give them control over their postings again.

Please let me know if you still have trouble accessing the event now

Thanks! Works fine now.

Okie dokie then guys. It's taken me a while, but I've finally been able to put up all of the information the site had before. All of the character profiles, news articles, kinship listings, events, personal notices, and services have been reposted.

I've also added a "Help" section with details on how to post/tips to keep in mind when posting, as well as a FAQ page, which can be found under the About section.

If anyone that was registered before is re-registering, let me know which events/character profiles/kinships you were in charge of so that I can transfer the pages back over to you for editing and what have you.

We now have a flickr gallery which anyone can contribute to. All you need to do is join the group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/landrovaltimes) and add whatever screenshots you've uploaded to the group pool. The latest 10 images are shown on the sidebar, and the latest 64 are shown in the gallery main page.

Also, the RSS feed should be back up and running on feedburner, as well as twitter.

As always, thank you to everyone who contributes and participates and if anyone has any comments/concerns/ideas do let me know about them

There is a new feature I am thinking of trying out for the website and would love to know what y'all think/if y'all would be interested in it.

Out of the various character profiles created, I'd love to pick one out at random and then conduct an IC interview with them for the Times. This way, we could better get to know characters, and perhaps it could help refine RP skills. It might also open up new RP instances so that other characters, having seen yours in 'the paper' might recognise you and want to have a chat, might remember you as the brigand that burnt that farm down 2 years ago, etc.

Anyway, I just thought it would be an interesting thing to do so please do let me know what you think of this idea.

The character interview idea does have potential.

Sounds fun. I think you should give it a shot =)

Sounds like a cool idea.

Have a question, if stuff we've posted is now gone, should we go about re-creating that? And is there any plans to put an 'updates' tab in there again? Loved that feature cause it showed me everything new.

Keep up the good work!

Originally Posted by Roelyn

Have a question, if stuff we've posted is now gone, should we go about re-creating that? And is there any plans to put an 'updates' tab in there again? Loved that feature cause it showed me everything new.

Keep up the good work!

Hmmm I tried getting everything from the old site back up onto this one. So off the top of my head, I know the March had character profiles for Kaikuro, Roelyn, Iorol, Asiech, and Tarthamir, as well as a kinship page, and the Sew Fancy service entry. I've managed to get all of those back up online.

What I have been doing is telling people who re-register on the site to let me know which pages were originally theirs so I can transfer them back to their name for editing and whatnot.

I will see about getting an update page, but I know there are monthly archive pages with all of the new posts already on the site. The page for March is http://www.landrovaltimes.info/2012/03/

I've a question; What sort of genre's and topics does The Landroval Times write about, or 'Eye-witness'? I haven't taken the liberty to access the site to view it, but would there be articles about well advertised events? I've seen a few posts about the musician groups and the liveliness they bring, and seen a few pictures; Often I've seen them outside The Prancing Pony of Bree-Town. I ask because, maybe I havn't seen them personally- but, because there many good events to touch into, such as events, conflicts, and notable people having more artistocratic, or honour suited interactions. Or perhaps the more well-heard rumors and gossips? (Limited, I am sure it would be, if done.)

Example: Arion suddenly has a duel with ________. (You know that would get a entire book made on it.)
Example: The Pilgrimage to The Sea (Or something like that; The Elf event)
Example: The War in Ered Luin (Which I have been heading and conducting with Weldulf and other kinships.)
Example(This is a made up one): The Yellow Falcon Mercenaries vs The Black Paw Mercenaries. (Large Kins fighting ICly)


Are there any of such things ever covered? Theres plenty of notable things that the public eye and Landroval Times (Public reporters?) can cover. I am just asking in curiosity due to me always wondering. I mean, who else here would like to maybe see a personal interview about a known charecter? (Arion, Aethalmund, Laerlin, Morv, Cery, Randolfr, [Brentlor? XD..])

Anyhow, theres a question from a Landroval Roleplayer. As reporters say, 'The people have a right to know!'

Originally Posted by redpoisonapple

There is a new feature I am thinking of trying out for the website and would love to know what y'all think/if y'all would be interested in it.

Out of the various character profiles created, I'd love to pick one out at random and then conduct an IC interview with them for the Times. This way, we could better get to know characters, and perhaps it could help refine RP skills. It might also open up new RP instances so that other characters, having seen yours in 'the paper' might recognise you and want to have a chat, might remember you as the brigand that burnt that farm down 2 years ago, etc.

Anyway, I just thought it would be an interesting thing to do so please do let me know what you think of this idea.

I for one would gladly participate. Great idea!

Originally Posted by Imadwarfdude

I've a question; What sort of genre's and topics does The Landroval Times write about, or 'Eye-witness'? I haven't taken the liberty to access the site to view it, but would there be articles about well advertised events? I've seen a few posts about the musician groups and the liveliness they bring, and seen a few pictures; Often I've seen them outside The Prancing Pony of Bree-Town. I ask because, maybe I havn't seen them personally- but, because there many good events to touch into, such as events, conflicts, and notable people having more artistocratic, or honour suited interactions. Or perhaps the more well-heard rumors and gossips? (Limited, I am sure it would be, if done.)

Example: Arion suddenly has a duel with ________. (You know that would get a entire book made on it.)
Example: The Pilgrimage to The Sea (Or something like that; The Elf event)
Example: The War in Ered Luin (Which I have been heading and conducting with Weldulf and other kinships.)
Example(This is a made up one): The Yellow Falcon Mercenaries vs The Black Paw Mercenaries. (Large Kins fighting ICly)


Are there any of such things ever covered? Theres plenty of notable things that the public eye and Landroval Times (Public reporters?) can cover. I am just asking in curiosity due to me always wondering. I mean, who else here would like to maybe see a personal interview about a known charecter? (Arion, Aethalmund, Laerlin, Morv, Cery, Randolfr, [Brentlor? XD..])

Anyhow, theres a question from a Landroval Roleplayer. As reporters say, 'The people have a right to know!'

We accept all sorts of news reports! The only problem is no one ever really takes me up on that! Since the LT is run on submissions, the things we cover is based on whatever people choose to submit. Your updates on the War in Ered Luin have been fantastically amazing, and I'd love to see them posted up on the LT website as well.

I personally write about things I've seen, or events I've gone to, such as the MVT weekly show, Ales and Tales 100th show, Bullroarer's Day After Party, etc. Aegthil writes about random kin gossip, and Dori does a weekly event round up with things seen and overheard. Someone named Auroriae recently submitted a Public Notice asking for information on the death of Probationary Watcher Naomiie.

A page back on this post, I stated that I've been thinking about doing IC interviews with characters as a regular feature on the site, so hopefully I can have that up soon. I'm also thinking about doing a regular feature on nicely decorated homes in random neighbourhoods.

There's always so much going on in Landroval and as such, only so much Aegthil, Dori, and I can cover. No one needs any special permission from me to start submitting news reports. Aegthil and Dori both found themselves inspired to participate (which I'm quite thankful for) and one morning I found their articles awaiting confirmation on the site.

Hmm, I think/hope I've answered your question

Originally Posted by Imadwarfdude

I've a question; What sort of genre's and topics does The Landroval Times write about, or 'Eye-witness'? I haven't taken the liberty to access the site to view it, but would there be articles about well advertised events? I've seen a few posts about the musician groups and the liveliness they bring, and seen a few pictures; Often I've seen them outside The Prancing Pony of Bree-Town. I ask because, maybe I havn't seen them personally- but, because there many good events to touch into, such as events, conflicts, and notable people having more artistocratic, or honour suited interactions. Or perhaps the more well-heard rumors and gossips? (Limited, I am sure it would be, if done.)

Example: Arion suddenly has a duel with ________. (You know that would get a entire book made on it.)
Example: The Pilgrimage to The Sea (Or something like that; The Elf event)
Example: The War in Ered Luin (Which I have been heading and conducting with Weldulf and other kinships.)
Example(This is a made up one): The Yellow Falcon Mercenaries vs The Black Paw Mercenaries. (Large Kins fighting ICly)


Are there any of such things ever covered? Theres plenty of notable things that the public eye and Landroval Times (Public reporters?) can cover. I am just asking in curiosity due to me always wondering. I mean, who else here would like to maybe see a personal interview about a known charecter? (Arion, Aethalmund, Laerlin, Morv, Cery, Randolfr, [Brentlor? XD..])

Anyhow, theres a question from a Landroval Roleplayer. As reporters say, 'The people have a right to know!'

The Landroval Times is always looking for reports and reporters. As it happens at this point in time we do not have anyone interested in filing reports from the RP community. Dori Bolger-Etal has listed a few of these events in the Mid-week Edition, but to get real reports someone from that community would be needed. There is only so much time in the day and covering the lite RP scene takes up a lot of Dori's time so he does not have time to cover the RP events in person. Filing reports is really easy, but someone must be found who will attend these events and have enough experience with them to file accurate reports....perhaps someone like Imadwarfdude????


I see our chief posted a reply just seconds ahead of me on this. I'm leaving my post up as confirmation of what the chief said.

Originally Posted by redpoisonapple

We accept all sorts of news reports! The only problem is no one ever really takes me up on that! Since the LT is run on submissions, the things we cover is based on whatever people choose to submit.

I'm interested in contributing. I used to blog regularly on MYLOTRO but gave that up after the F2P changes to the site. I'd like another venue for blogging about LOTRO a bit, but I don't want to start up my own and I don't really want to blog by a schedule. I'd just like a place where I can easily submit something when the inspiration takes hold. I have a few ideas for different types of "columns" I could try out. Should I run them by you?

Originally Posted by Fionnuala

I'm interested in contributing. I used to blog regularly on MYLOTRO but gave that up after the F2P changes to the site. I'd like another venue for blogging about LOTRO a bit, but I don't want to start up my own and I don't really want to blog by a schedule. I'd just like a place where I can easily submit something when the inspiration takes hold. I have a few ideas for different types of "columns" I could try out. Should I run them by you?

You can actually just feel free to submit! Like I said, pretty much anything goes so long as it's written IC, and frequency is completely up to you. (I also went ahead and transferred the MVT kinship listing, and your character profiles back over to you on the site).

I've also added up a Tales section, after Amarantos asked about it. We used to have it on the old site, but no one ever really used it, so I didn't think to recreate it here.

The tales section is broken up into "stories" - which would be stories (dur) that only those involved would know about (so not something others should bring up in RP unless they were involved in said story), "songs/poems" - where you can post poems, song lyrics, videos, etc, and "documents" - which are things that could be considered "official" and used by any and all in RP (think treaties, wanted posters, famous books/myths/stories, open letters, etc).

Only thing to keep in mind, for everyone, is to remember clicking an appropriate category to post it to, since without it, I just wind up guessing where it should go.

ETA Also, I have no clue how to take video during gameplay, nor do I think my computer could handle it, but if people that do make videos are interested in having them on the site (like the flickr gallery section), I created a vimeo group for the Landroval Times. Just let me know if anyone is interested in it, and I'll activate it on the website

Hi - would you update the time for BBB concerts please? Our new time starting this upcoming week will be at 3pm server time on Sundays.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Summer_Beor

Hi - would you update the time for BBB concerts please? Our new time starting this upcoming week will be at 3pm server time on Sundays.

Thanks!

Yup, will do! Was wondering what the updated time was going to be when I heard y'all say last show was the last midnight show

Originally Posted by dori_bolger

Filing reports is really easy, but someone must be found who will attend these events and have enough experience with them to file accurate reports....perhaps someone like Imadwarfdude????

Thank you, but I don't believe I could find the time. Im already inactive as a Kinleader for a Kin on another charecter; Dwarg is going to be taking alot of IC actions shortly, and my returning charecter whom many may know (Secret!) into Bree-Town to help train its people and aquire Supplies to stock up reserves (ICly!) for a suspected occurance that he hunches is soon to occur (Conspiricies!). Then I've got a blackwold that needs to pick a few more pockets and get Bree's criminal RP more original, when abled. - I try to keep myself busy. However, if I can figure out how to post things at Landroval Times site (I might have missed the place?) and I am personally hosting one, or have good gossip/news, Ill be sure to give it to you all to pick at if you choose.

Originally Posted by redpoisonapple

There is a new feature I am thinking of trying out for the website and would love to know what y'all think/if y'all would be interested in it.

Out of the various character profiles created, I'd love to pick one out at random and then conduct an IC interview with them for the Times. This way, we could better get to know characters, and perhaps it could help refine RP skills. It might also open up new RP instances so that other characters, having seen yours in 'the paper' might recognise you and want to have a chat, might remember you as the brigand that burnt that farm down 2 years ago, etc.

Anyway, I just thought it would be an interesting thing to do so please do let me know what you think of this idea.

Just my thoughts on this.

This idea is simply 'metagaming'. Getting to know characters through reading a website is something that i dont think it adds to the RP itself. Sure it does add to the community as a whole, its a social nice thing to have but not very realistic from an IC point of view
Rpers should get to know each other char's ICly, in game and not going on a website, reading a char's info and then use it in game

Landroval has tons of social features/events. What it lacks is actual IC RP (musical concerts is not one of those in the most occasions)

Thats my thoughts and hope you dont get this as criticism, its just me voicing my thoughts. All in all this would be a nice ooc/social feature to have

Regards

Originally Posted by ''Cris'''

Just my thoughts on this.

This idea is simply 'metagaming'.

No, it's not.

It would be 'metagaming' if someone read something on The Landroval Times or this forum and then used it in their RP interaction in game when they have no reason for knowing it IC.

It is not metagaming to post stories or interviews and articles for entertainment purposes. If you're going to look at it like that then this entire forum is 'metagaming' and you shouldn't advertize your events here. :P

And I think interviews are a splendid idea.

Actually I don't think using information from the Landroval Times is highly metagaming. The Times is always written from an in character point of view. One might be assumed to have read a copy while resting in Bree. You might note my tendency to reference posters seen about town and events actually attended as a source of my information for the Mid-week Edition, so this information is generally available to folks "in character." I know a few folks have really blasted me for a few of my stories, and they have generally done that "in character." Either way, taken as in character or not, it's all intended 1) to let folks know what is going on in the future and has gone on in the recent past, and 2) to help people enjoy the game by letting them know about upcoming events. (and of course the ego boost of being named in an article)

"other peoples business, my specialty"
Dori Bolger-Etal

Originally Posted by ''Cris'''

snipping to avoid a super giant wall of text

I definitely share your concern over the interviews possibly becoming something akin to metagaming. The site already has the character profiles and stories sections that are completely off limits to use in game and are solely for us players to enjoy irl.

The interviews, however, I'm still waffling on how to conduct them. I initially wanted them to be like part of the "Landroval Times newspaper," much like the Public Notice/Services/News Articles sections are -- things that would appear in a newspaper in ME. It would be like the interviews you would find in "People" magazine, or whatnot.

The first person I've sent questions to for the inaugural interview is Laerelwen, the winner of one of the costume contest prizes at the Shadow Company's Bullroarer event. This way there is a reason a 'newspaper' would contact her and the questions are mostly where you from, do you consider yourself a fashionista, are you a regular at socials, what are you hobbies, any sig other? etc. Basic things that have to do with her winning a costume contest. Things that my little hobbit would have asked in person to complete her report on event had there not been dancing and music playing going on.

I definitely don't mean for the interviews to get into anything heavy, or to focus on a beings background/upbringing/issues. I'm hoping for them to be merely a hey, you seem interesting/do interesting things (in public), tell us a bit about what's going on right now.

I also see your point that IC RP is lacking and do hope that perhaps these interviews might help spur that. Sometimes, it's a bit difficult to find someone you want to start something with IC outside of big events because Middle Earth is so big a place -- one can't always stay in Bree and make the connections they'd like, no matter how social they are. Hopefully, if someone feels a connection to something another wrote on the website, it will spur them to seek the character out and begin interacting in game (and hopefully the people who use the website are clever enough to know not to bring up background information they shouldn't know).

I feel it could also help with a certain level of believability. If I have a character that is from Archet, born and raised, and you have a character from Archet, born and raised, chances are they would have met or at the least, heard about the other. How incredibly silly is it then if our characters meet in a pub and react to the other as complete strangers? Same goes for people that rp as members of a specific regions soldiers serving under a specific person. If I served under Éomer, and you served under Éomer, you'd think there'd be some sort of recognition considering we'd both theoretically die for one another during combat.

So yes, some may consider the interviews metagaming, others might not. Everyone has the right to refuse an interview if I send a message asking permission. If someone agrees to it, they can tell me whether they want it to remain "off the record" and I will then add a note saying not to be used ingame. Or they can say go ahead and use what I've said, I love being recognised in the streets of Bree, and then I'll make a note of that as well.

Originally Posted by dori_bolger

I know a few folks have really blasted me for a few of my stories, and they have generally done that "in character."

This is another reason I thought the interviews could be beneficial because if I see that someone is mentioned in an article, I would always love to send the a message to interview them if they feel the need to set the record straight.
"Oh what? Someone reported that I was out at Lake Everclear dancing nude under the full moon with a boars head at my feet? LIES! How can I let people know that I've been slandered so horrifically?"

Bam, I will offer you an interview to clear this up, and instead of having a small note that people rarely read edited into the original article, you will have your own post explaining the truth and catering to what you'd like to get across.

Originally Posted by Imadwarfdude

However, if I can figure out how to post things at Landroval Times site (I might have missed the place?) and I am personally hosting one, or have good gossip/news, Ill be sure to give it to you all to pick at if you choose.

People have to be registered to post articles, though anyone can post comments. There's a register link on the right-hand column and activation is immediately. If people are averse to registering, but still want to submit an article, I'm always open to receiving the article via email (admin@landrovaltimes.info) or PM here and I'll just cite the author as whichever character submitted said article.

Another thought about encouraging folks to submit articles to the Times. If you are worried about your language skills, I would be more than happy to preview your copy and offer suggestions about language use and such. I can understand how intimidating this might be for someone who is an English as a second language person. (I struggle with this often and English is my only language) I am also willing to include your copy in the Mid-week Edition if you wish, with your own byline naturally.

The first instalment of "Faces of Middle Earth" is up. My interviewee was the lovely Laerelwen, who let my little hobbit ride up with her to Evendim asking questions incessantly.

http://www.landrovaltimes.info/news-...wen-of-edoras/

If anyone would like to nominate someone for an interview, or would like to volunteer to be interviewed, just send an InGame mail to Sparkleigh, or send me a PM here (and if possible, let me know a bit about the character, if there is any special direction I should take when asking questions, or special accomplishments I can pry into).

I've added an RPers link list to the site's sidebar, which displays links to RP blogs run by people on the server. I've put up as many as I have been able to find/been directed to.

If you don't see yours, and would like it added on, just drop me a line here and I'll pop it on (could be a my.lotro blog, blogspot, wordpress, whatever platform you choose).

Conversely, if you see your link on there, and would like it removed, let me know and I shall do so

Have also added a "submissions" form, under Contact. That way, people that aren't really interested in registering on the website can still submit articles, which I will then put up.

As always, if anyone has any comments, or suggestions on what they'd like to see added, definitely let me know!

I am not able to access the Landroval Times site today. Is it down for some reason?

Originally Posted by dori_bolger

I am not able to access the Landroval Times site today. Is it down for some reason?

Yup, sadly our "100% uptime" webhost is experiencing yet another issue.

Hopefully, it'll be back up soon \=

ETA We're back up again

ETA 12 April : Website down as Dreamhost can't seem to manage keeping its servers online. hopefully back up soon \=
ETA 12 April : Back up again

Hullo all!

The Landroval Times would like to know if there are any fine folk out there that own ingame homes and keep them decorated. We're in the beginning stages of planning a housing event and contest to take place at the end of May, with a build up to it via articles and mini events/contests starting at the beginning of the month. As we know housing is a sometimes neglected part of the game, we're hoping to regenerate interest in it and the homesteads in general.

So if y'all could let us know (either sending an ingame mail to Sparkleigh, commenting here, on the LT site, via email admin@landrovaltimes.info, or tweet @landrovaltimes) we can get a better idea of how many might be interested!

Thank you again to everyone who continues to be supportive in helping the Landroval Times grow!

Hullo again to everyone!

As the Landroval Times is coming up on almost one entire year of existence, I just wanted to give my thanks to everyone who has joined and contributed the website!

Without y'all, there would be no LT, so thank you all for being so amazingly fantastic!

I also wanted to let y'all know that there were a few changes made recently. After receiving a few suggestions from members, I've gone ahead and began implementing changes/new things.

1. Sidebar Login
   1. Users are now able to login via the sidebar, instead of having to click a login link and be redirected back to the main page.
   2. Users can also access their profile and dashboard from the sidebar login area.
2. Gallery
   1. As we migrated to wordpress, I implemented the flickr gallery in hopes of A) making it easier for players to share their images and B) ensuring that potentially malicious images are not uploaded to the website. However, I have had a few members ask for an on-site gallery instead. Having to register on flickr, if you were not already a member, just to upload pictures to the website was an extra hassle that could be avoided.
   2. So, we've gone ahead and replaced the flickr gallery with an on-site gallery. Users can create their own galleries to upload Character Screenshots, Event Screenshots, Scenic Screenshots, and Fan Art! Instructions on how to start that can be found in the updated Help section on the website (http://www.landrovaltimes.info/help/...es-to-gallery/).
   3. As before, the latest 10 uploads are shown on the sidebar for everyone to check out.
3. Videos
   1. With so many talented video makers, users wondered why we did not have a video section set up on the website. So, I've gone ahead and put that in!
   2. Users can embed videos from youtube, vimeo, and dailymotion straight into posts without having to remember any sort of web jargon or html. Simply paste the video link into the post and voila! The video will show up in the post.
   3. More information on that can be found in the video help section (http://www.landrovaltimes.info/help/posting-videos/).
   4. I've also set up a Featured Video section on the sidebar to highlight fun/creative community videos. If anyone has a video they think should be featured, feel free to message me and I'll give it a look and hopefully queue it up!
4. User Profiles
   1. Someone recently suggested adding an additional field to the user profiles for players that have no settled on a main character and instead alternate between many. So, there is now an optional user field members can edit to appear on their author profile page. Feel free to list your alts, playing times, etc. in that area.
   2. Profiles also show the latest batch of posts made by the author, so it is easier to keep track of their postings.
5. Comments
   1. There are a few new ways nonmembers can comment on articles on the website now. You can comment by putting down your email and name (as usual), or you can comments via your wordpress.com account, twitter account, or facebook account.
6. Language
   1. After seeing so many non English speakers take part in Weatherstock - whether as a band or attendee - we realised that the non English community on Landroval may be growing. As such, I implemented a little google translate area on the sidebar to give visitors to the website the option to translate pages into their primary language.

We are also slowly beginning to implement a few new things within the next month or two. Here's a quick peek at some of what should be coming up soon.

1. Faces of Middle Earth Interviews
   1. We are looking to start up character interviews again. If anyone is interested in having their character featured, feel free to send me a message here or send an ingame mail to Sparkleigh. Please try/remember to state date and time availability.
2. News Article Storylines
   1. Beginning slowly with the start of the Epic Storyline, we're hoping to set up a series of news articles related to ingame happenings OUTSIDE of the usual concert/special events that are always going on. We'll still cover the regular happenings as we always have though, so don't fret!
   2. This will include articles and 'interviews' with NPCs.
   3. Users will most definitely be encouraged to help contribute in any way to the telling/retelling of the stories in whatever way they'd like - rebuttal articles/interviews, adding images/video, offering the name of an alt created specifically for inclusion in the article (not necessarily, but must be aware that this character will likely be featured in gossip type articles), commenting on articles with additional gossip or information, etc.
3. In Game Meet-up
   1. For those of us that have alts and are interested in running content together as a group, this will be a section where players can list their playtime availability, character level, area of interest, etc. This way semi regular groups/pairs can be set up to run through various parts of the Epic Story, or regions.
   2. Ultimately, I would love for this to spawn a weekly/biweekly group of regulars who will play on otherwise unattended alts, and hopefully lend itself to some loosely structured rp (a basic premise as to why xyz characters have met up/how they know each other)
4. Another TP Giveaway Contest
   1. Hopefully scheduled for the end of August/start of September.

As I mentioned in my previous post, we're starting to start articles based on the epic questline, and perhaps some side quests as well. The article series is called Claramel's Commissions and the very first one has begun with Claramel Ashenbough talking about the jailbreak to Archet. These articles will usually be followed by journals written by Claramel.

Other users/players are welcome and encouraged to participate in whichever way the feel most comfortable, commenting on the event in the post, creating their own journals detailing the events, creating rebuttal articles - or propaganda type articles in which you take on a Bill Ferny-esque point of view, or even sending in "letters to the editor" from the point of view as a townie/npc. Eventually, the storyline articles will open up the option letting players join Claramel in forming a semi regular group to run the quests together. This, however, is momentarily put on hold due to a problematic personal situation that leaves me unsure of permanent playtimes.

Secondly, some may have noticed a few changes to the site. We added a little slider on the sidebar with the recent content which gives a bit more information as to what each post is about, as opposed to how it was previously. We also implemented a few templates for parts of the site, namely the character profile and events sections. This should make it easier for players to put down the necessary information, as well as keep the layout cleaner and more visually pleasing to the eye. The templates come up on the page when you tick the appropriate category (CP->Man, Elf, Hobbit, Dwarf, or Events), so be sure to do that first.

Thirdly, you may have noticed a new headline in the navigation bar called "Neighbourhoods." There will shortly be a demonstrative post to give users a better idea of what this section is for. Basically, the neighbourhoods section is a place for players to post little locations that would be found throughout their town eg taverns, general goods/medicinal/herbs/fabric/etc shops, galleries, what have you. Posts would include directions, description of the physical appearance of the shop/building/what have you, description of the owners/workers, description of what sort of items are sold, how long it has been in business, etc. These locales can then be visited/used by other players in game and out of game. Out of game, players are welcome to do web based RP via the comments section or use the tales area if they wish.

I do believe that's everything that has been going on lately with the LT. As always, if anyone has any questions/concerns/comments/suggestions, feel free to respond here, PM me, or email me at admin@landrovaltimes.info

- Leslie / Sparkleigh Larkspur

Hi everyone, just wanted to give an update in case anyone was wondering what is going on with the LT, or me. Y'all may have noticed there haven't been many updates on the LT (other than Dori's wonderful MidWeek edition). There are a variety of reasons for this. Work has picked up incredibly and I will likely be overly busy with it until after the holidays (Jan/Feb).

Though, even if this wasn't the case, there are other issues keeping me from updating the website as I once did. The fact that there was so much trolling going on the last few times I tried logging into the game made me no longer want to involve myself in the community. The horrific lag I was always suffering since that infernal update ages ago that continuously either kicked me off the game, or left me stranded during a fight so that when the game would unfreeze, I would find myself incapacitated thanks to a boar that was 8 levels below me. The bugged parts of the game (first thing that comes to mind are the festival activities). Though I still love lotro and 99% of the people here, the lag issues aggravate me so much, that I would rather spend my time playing a different game seamlessly, instead of trying to play lotro.

Hopefully whatever these lag issues are actually do get resolved so that I can come back to the game, especially with Rohan coming, but I remain wary. I am still around keeping an eye on the LT website though, to approve new users and posts, just not as active sadly.