Update 17 of Lord Of The Rings Online just went beta on the Bullroarer test server.
With this update, LOTRO players will head to Minas Tirith, and here are the maps to the new areas. Plus a few pictures!
First off, a disclaimer: If you want a pristine game experience with no ruined surprises about the new regions, you should probably stop reading now, if not before! Not least because I have added some screenshots at the bottom of the post.
You can see larger versions of all the maps by clicking on them.
Minas Tirith
You can find the current patch notes for the U17 beta on Turbine's forums.
Update 17 includes Old Anórien with three new regions:
- Talath Anor
- Pelennor Fields
- Minas Tirith (finally!)
If you'd like to see where these areas are in Middle Earth, this map should help yer find yer bearings:
Map of Gondor
Here are the individual maps.
Old Anórien and Talath Anor
Anórien was a region/fiefdom north Minas Tirith and the line of the White Mountains (Ered Nimrais). There were no cities in Anórien. The Warning Beacons of Gondor were built on mountain peaks along the Great Road towards Rohan.
Old Anórien map
Talath Anor map
Pelennor Fields
The Pelennor Fields were just outside Minas Tirith, west of the Anduin River. The fields were fertile farmland, home to farmers and herdsmen. Until the time of that whole huge battle, that is. The fields were also criss-crossed by both major and minor roads and paths towards Minas Tirith and the rest of Gondor.
Pelennor Fields map
Minas Tirith
Minas Tirith was the capital of Gondor, and a huge city divided into seven levels surrounded by white walls (except the lower, first wall which was black). A massive spur of rock, described by some as the shape of the bow of a ship, went out from the front of the city towards the east. During the LOTRO time period, Gondor was ruled by the Steward of Gondor, who led the city until the return of the rightful king.
Minas Tirith Map
Some screenshots from Update 17
Below are some screenshots from the new update. Don’t read any further if you don’t want spoilers!
Alright
Here we go.
Really.
Soon...
Remember to click on them images for larger versions…
Now!
Just outside the main gate/entrance to Minas Tirith. The combination of in-game evening + the Dawnless Day made for a rather dark screenshot.
The inner courtyard, just inside the main gate.
The White Tree, just outside the Citadel.
Standing on the edge of the large spur of rock, with the city behind.
Tempting... hobbits love ledges, after all. The view down from the spur of rock.
[tvideo type="youtube" clip_id="GPr0S0V1scg" autohide="1" controls="true" disablekb="false" fs="true" loop="false" modestbranding="false" theme="light"] Rock Spur Jump video, to show the height of the city