6-15-07 Latest News

Celebrate the Summer Solstice in Middle-earth
MrCere @ 1:27 pm EST

The Lord of the Rings Online game will celebrate the first annual Summer Solstice Festival live for three weeks. The first of many planned seasonal festivities, the festival will offer players a number of unique quests, vendors and activities.

Turbine (US) and Codemasters (Europe) provide the update as part of the quest to attract and retain monthly subscribers who want to play in and explore an online version of Middle-earth populated with other players participating live.

The Summer Solstice Festival is called different things by different races. Whether it's the Lithe Festival (Hobbits), Summerdays (Men), Summerfest (Dwarves) or the Festival of Enedhin (Elves), they all share the common themes of summer including planting, dancing, drinking, games and fireworks. Players can celebrate throughout
Middle-earth from June 20th to July 10th by interacting with special vendors and participating in quests designed just for the festival.

According to a press release from Turbine activites include:

  • Dancing - There will be dancing quests with new race-specific dance emotes as a reward.
  • Fireworks - Players who collect fireworks from each of the four vendors in the Summer Solstice Festival will receive a unique firework.

  • Scavenger Hunts - Players can participate in one of three scavenger hunts that will grant them unique special recipes, seeds and pipeweed.

  • Hobnanigans - Join in madcap chicken-chasing games! There is an arena near the Bree Festival Grounds with two team captains as quest bestowers. Once twelve players are ready, the "Game Hen" will appear in the center of the arena and players will use a stick to persuade the chicken around the arena. Each team will have to get the chicken into a goal at the far end of the field three times within a certain time limit.


    The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players can experience Middle-earth online. The Lord of the Rings Online is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America and Europe. For more information about visit www.lotro.com.