Beware of the Rock Ness monster.
LOTRO’s Update 24.2 was released on the beta test server Bullroarer yesterday. This is a small update to the Vales of Anduin release, with a handful of additions, changes and bug fixes. You can read the full beta patch notes on the beta test server forums. These notes are subject to change before the update is released, as usual.
Of special interest to me is that the update contains a new mini-area, Gladdenmere. There is a sizeable lake marked on the Vales of Anduin in-game map, west of Gladden Fields, but until now there was no way to reach it. With U24.2, you’ll be able to.
Below are some screenshots from the new area. As usual, this might be seen as spoilers for those who like to explore new lands, so you have been warned: Don’t read on if you like to be surprised.
View of Gladden Fields from the new area, just above the waterfall (Gladden Falls).
Here is the path you can follow up to the new area, along the south-west side of Gladden Fields.
Gladdenmere as seen looking west from above Gladden Falls.
There is a small camp and vendors area on the south shore of Gladdenmere, where you can rent a boat towards the north shore…
… you should be careful, though, since the boat ends just shy of a camp of giants, with morales ranging from 650k to 2.5M. The area is generally full of nasty monsters: giants, rock-worms, spirits, glooms and the likes.
Looking towards Gladden Falls on the east side of Gladdenmere.
On the west side of the mere is a fortress, Kidzul-Kâlah.
Another view west towards Kidzul-Kâlah. Note the waterfall there.
Closer view of the Kidzul-Kâlah waterfall, which I got a good look at when falling down a ledge trying to outrun a contact-seeking spirit.
View towards the south-west from below the Kidzul-Kâlah waterfall.
View west across the Gladdenmere, towards Gladden Falls.
Say, is that…
…a loch-worm! The Rock Ness monster?
I am usually not one for swimming (few hobbits are, apart from some confuzzled Bucklanders), but it is a rather fine way to outrun Rock Ness monsters and non-floaty giants.
The Kidzul-Kâlah fortress has an interior area, also filled with spirits. I didn’t explore much beyond the entrance.
Behind Kidzul-Kâlah is a small snowy pathway into the mountains, filled with frosty grims who either freeze you to the ground or toss you into the mountain wall. Not very hospitable, that lot. The path ends in a teleporter, which takes you to…
… Redhorn pass on the other side of the Misty Mountains!
I had a look at the lake at night too. Here’s the usual view west towards Kidzul-Kâlah.
Move a bit further back, and you can stand inside the Gladden Falls and watch the water stream by you.
I’m usually not one for bathing, but it is always nice to stand inside a waterfall, near the drop, enjoying the sights.
Based on the most recent LOTRO stream last Friday, Update 24.2 is planned to go live late July/early August, so it won’t be too long to wait now. Are you looking forward to the update? Did you enjoy the screenshots? Please add yer thoughts in the comments below!