The development team for the Lord of the Rings Online has added another creature to their ongoing "Creatures/Characters of Middle-earth" series. Who gets the spotlight today? Dori!:

Of the thirteen companions of the great Thorin Oakenshield, Dori was often responsible for keeping an eye out for the Company’s burglar, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Now Dori acts as an emissary to the dwarf-mines of Othrikar in the North Downs. Learn more about this famous dwarf in this week’s content update!

You can read the entire write-up HERE, and HERE at the European website.

Today we've launched a new site covering the online trading card game, Legends of Norrath.  Legends of Norrath is accessible from both inside the two EverQuest games, and as a stand-alone game.

In traditional Allakhazam style we have an incredible amount of data, guides, tools, and news.  A few of the cooler things:

Card List: Every single Legends of Norrath card so far, complete with all stats, card graphics, and a user-updatable wiki for each card.

Deck Builder: Build your own deck of 50 cards straight from our site.  Allow other people to rate your deck, search by the best decks, comment on other peoples decks and a whole lot more.

Wikibase: Just like our EverQuest 2 and Final Fantasy XI site, our Legends of Norrath site combines the best features of a database and a wiki.  Almost every page is updatable by users using our customized wiki software, and we also have traditional wiki content such as guides and tutorials.

Forums: Want to discuss a build?  What do you think of the new Raid Decks dropping from in-game?  Have a suggestion for improving the site?

Of course there are also a lot more features, so check our the new site today!

What goes better together than drinking and axe throwing? Not much, and the folks over at Turbine agree!

Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online today announced the launch of Swig and Toss, the second mini-game on www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com.  Registered participants can challenge themselves and their friends to earn special deeds that unlock unique rewards including exclusive videos, images, and in-game items that will aid them on their journey when The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria launches this fall.

Swig and Toss is an axe throwing competition with a bit of drinking and wagering to make things more interesting!  In this 10-round game, players try to keep a steady aim while attempting to hit a target with their axe. Hit the mark and win! Miss and hear the Dwarves around you scoff at your lack of skill.

Between rounds, players can take a few swigs from their mug to help quench their thirst.  This will help boost their confidence and loosen their pocket strings, increasing the amount they can wager.

Swig and Toss is available today at www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com. Registration is free!

New Quests: Instance: Ancient Lair ;  Pushing the Panic

New Items: Scrap of a Dwarf Pledge ;  Laugi Goldentongue's Doom ;  Robe of the West-lands ;  Shoulders of the West-lands ;  Soft Cap of Ambition ;  Prakhum's Doom ;  Master Tailor Scroll Case ;  Master Woodworker Scroll Case ;  Master Metalworker Scroll Case ;  Master Jeweller Scroll Case ;  Rusty Axe ;  Speckled Trout ;  Lake Trout

New Mobs: Horrid Brimstone-leech ;  Gorthorog Brute ;  Buth Luikh Wound-counter ;  Gille Andras ;  Artain ;  Erebgon ;  Felwing Screecher ;  Gordan ;  Laugi Goldentongue ;  Doldagnir

New Objects: Angmarim Supplies
[More...]

As part of the celebration of its first anniversary, Turbine is hosting a "Welcome Back Weekend" in Lord of the Rings Online, inviting all former North American players to come back for the weekend for free!

Turbine continues the first anniversary celebration of the award-winning The Lord of the Rings Online with a “Welcome Back Weekend”.  Starting Thursday, May 8th until Monday, May 12th Turbine invites all former North American subscribers back to Middle-earth to play for free.
 

Former subscribers can play their old characters, check out the LOTRO Anniversary celebration events, explore new areas, and tackle new quests. To take part in the Welcome Back Weekend, players can simply log into their LOTRO account from May 8-12, 2008.

Some of the updates & enhancements to The Lord of the Rings Online since launch include:

• New Region - Explore the icy reaches of Forochel
• New Quests - Over 100 new quests
• Hobby System - Feel like going fishing?
• Enhanced Monsterplay - New monster class: the Orc Defiler
• Looking For Fellowship Enhancements - Mustering Horns and UI improvements
• More customization options - cosmetic clothing, traveling clothes, and barbershops!
• New PvMP dungeon - The Delving of Frór
• Return to Angmar - completely overhauled to enhance playability and fun

More information can be found at www.lotro.com/welcomeback.