Hidden Nuggets we see all the time...

[Berephon]

One of the things I've been kind of disappointed about is the lack of NPC names in the middle/later parts of Dunland. In the center of Galtrev everyone is named "PROVISIONER" and "SUPPLIER", and the skirmish vendors are named "LEGENDARY ITEMS" etc. Elsewhere their "provisioner" title is small text underneath the actual name. But in so much of Dunland/Isengard they just have the giant title as their name.

Not sure if this is the way of things from now on, or if they ran out of name creativity, or if they just ran out of time and plan on adding the names in later. I hope it's the third option, because you're right the creativity in creating NPCs is a part of LOTRO.

Name creativity is not an issue, as all of our names are based on real world languages and Tolkien's Elvish; however, the quantity of usable names in many languages is extremely limited. This is one major factor: we would rather reserve names for actual quest characters. Another factor is that, due to the extreme number of vendors, etc, across the world, it was not viable to continue bloating our data with unique vendor entities, thus we now use generic sets of entities for each culture--essentially, all vendors across Dunland are pretty much the same group of entities, with rare situational exception. Expect to see this going forward.

[auximenes]

I think that's a reasonable compromise. I'd even be willing to have all of the generic vendor-type NPC's lose their names so that the names can be re-issued to more important characters. In a perfect world, they'd all have unique names, but it's not realistic in the long-run.

[Malachi108]

Name creativity is not an issue, as all of our names are based on real world languages and Tolkien's Elvish; however, the quantity of usable names in many languages is extremely limited. This is one major factor: we would rather reserve names for actual quest characters. Another factor is that, due to the extreme number of vendors, etc, across the world, it was not viable to continue bloating our data with unique vendor entities, thus we now use generic sets of entities for each culture--essentially, all vendors across Dunland are pretty much the same group of entities, with rare situational exception. Expect to see this going forward.

Very disappointed to see this. I'd rather see generic names like "Wali" or "Nadu" be repeated rather than "Provisioner" and "Supplier". There are already several names being re-used for NPCs across the world: Dwarves, Elves, Men etc. In addition, I am also extremely sad that 6 or so Grey Company rangers in Echad Naeglanc and Rohirrim Scout-Camp are not named like the ones in Enedwaith are: they could be some of my old friends of Eriador, but I cannot know that!

I still hope you someday reconsider this. Even if every Dunlending Provisioner in Dunland is named "Grodu, Provisoner" instead of just "Provisioner" I would welcome this change with open arms. After all, "Forge-Master", "Expert Tailor" and "Skirmish Exchange" are not the names in either real-world or Tolkien's languages...

[Angenga]

Just read through nearly the entire thread, and what a treat it was. I could never understand why people have complained that Turbine took a carefree attitude towards the lore.

I thought I might make a little contribution of my own. I believe that Ingithor Blackhand, antagonist of the Siege of Gondamon, occasionally says something like "I spit my last breath at thee, Mathi!" shortly before he is killed. Compare this to the last words of Captain Ahab:

"...to the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee."

Not "ring-lore," but a nice reference nonetheless.

[Nydorewyth]

I still hope you someday reconsider this. Even if every Dunlending Provisioner in Dunland is named "Grodu, Provisoner" instead of just "Provisioner" I would welcome this change with open arms. After all, "Forge-Master", "Expert Tailor" and "Skirmish Exchange" are not the names in either real-world or Tolkien's languages...

Agreed. In real life people often have the same names, even with the awkwardness of having two suppliers next to each other with the same name I would prefer that to "Hi, my name's SUPPLIER."

[airsoftg36c]

Has anyone noticed the Dwarf in Thorin's Hall named Reykur? There is also a elite wight in Agamaur with the same name.

[Adder]

Name creativity is not an issue, as all of our names are based on real world languages and Tolkien's Elvish; however, the quantity of usable names in many languages is extremely limited. This is one major factor: we would rather reserve names for actual quest characters. Another factor is that, due to the extreme number of vendors, etc, across the world, it was not viable to continue bloating our data with unique vendor entities, thus we now use generic sets of entities for each culture--essentially, all vendors across Dunland are pretty much the same group of entities, with rare situational exception. Expect to see this going forward.

I have to agree with those opposed to this. Names don't necessarily have to be unique. I know literally dozens of people with my same first name (my best friend and his son to name a few). Why not just recycle the more 'common' names for the unimportant NPCs and use the unique names for those of significance? That would actually be more realistic than never repeating a name and MUCH better than the current no-name 'Supplier', 'Provisioner', etc.

[Odailin]

Someone may have mentioned this in thread already (to much to read lol) But one these that kinda wowed me and to note I actually didn't manage get ahold of the book to read till after started playing. So it was reading the books that I was amazed by the detail of LOTRO.

But yeh one the things that got my attention besides the trolls. I was reading the hobbit and it came to the point of going into rivendell the description of the winding path my mind instantly recalled the image of the winding path going down into rivendell. I was reading the book and actually picturing it along with what I had seen in game. It was awsome lol I unfortunately still reading up Hobbit was the first book picked up given hadn't done much reading in a long time figured was a good start. I'm currently on Fellowship of the ring though reading it a few chapters a night and even then I find myself comparing what I read to what have seen in game. And actually playing through some of it at around the same points on one my alts.

Think even with some the issues in recent game on some things have to commend these guys on the work they have done. And I may not been a Lotr fan when I started short of from the movies but have made it an awesome experience and encouraged me to want to learn more lol

[Rapunzel666]

But yeh one the things that got my attention besides the trolls. I was reading the hobbit and it came to the point of going into rivendell the description of the winding path my mind instantly recalled the image of the winding path going down into rivendell. I was reading the book and actually picturing it along with what I had seen in game. It was awsome lol I unfortunately still reading up Hobbit was the first book picked up given hadn't done much reading in a long time figured was a good start. I'm currently on Fellowship of the ring though reading it a few chapters a night and even then I find myself comparing what I read to what have seen in game. And actually playing through some of it at around the same points on one my alts.

somewhere on that road you should walk left somewhat in the mid towards the ford of bruinen. You might find the three trolls there!

[McFarlane]

Hello everyone,

Just taking a moment to let you all know about a new blog, Golden Treasure Inside is Hid, a fan site dedicated to discussion of the many wonderful Tolkien Lore Easter eggs and nuggets that are found throughout LOTRO. Please stop by some time, feel free to leave comments and suggestions there!

[Odailin]

somewhere on that road you should walk left somewhat in the mid towards the ford of bruinen. You might find the three trolls there!

LOL yeh actually found them a while back on my main before i even know why they were there. I'd already reached moria by time started reading the hobbit. but had quested through trollshaws and found the trolls while going after ore/wood and exploring thinkign I may try go back and get a better look. Maybe will check out that birds nest lol Wonder to if the rock had marked bilbo's treasure spot is out there to.

[dcor]

I love LOTRO lore!

[mjk47]

I still hope you someday reconsider this. Even if every Dunlending Provisioner in Dunland is named "Grodu, Provisoner" instead of just "Provisioner" I would welcome this change with open arms. After all, "Forge-Master", "Expert Tailor" and "Skirmish Exchange" are not the names in either real-world or Tolkien's languages...

Actually, in the real world, many names directly describe someone's profession, or more commonly, the profession of their ancestor. Think about Bowyer, Cooper, Butcher, Archer, Brewer, etc.

Just be thankful we don't do things that way any more. Who would want to be saddled with a tedious name because their ancestor was an "Advertising Account Executive".

[MRNot]

..Just be thankful we don't do things that way any more. Who would want to be saddled with a tedious name because their ancestor was an "Advertising Account Executive".

What would that end up as? Something like, Pencil-pusherson? (or Pencil-pushersen if of Scandinavian descent)?

[Harnath]

I just noticed this after reading the two towers, when dwarves use the charge emote, they yell "Barute khazad! Khazad Emenui" (i most likely got the spelling wrong) and that is the same thing GIMLI yells in the battle for helms deep when he saves Eomer from orcs. Sorry i don't have a quote or anything... I can't find the book ATM

[Berephon]

I just noticed this after reading the two towers, when dwarves use the charge emote, they yell "Barute khazad! Khazad Emenui" (i most likely got the spelling wrong) and that is the same thing GIMLI yells in the battle for helms deep when he saves Eomer from orcs. Sorry i don't have a quote or anything... I can't find the book ATM

Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!

Indeed, you are correct.

[Alendrar]

The toy dog is a character in a book Tolkien wrote titled "Roverrandom" or something like that.

[Berephon]

The toy dog is a character in a book Tolkien wrote titled "Roverrandom" or something like that.

Actually, the toy dog references the actual event that Roverandom was inspired by. One of his sons lost his favorite toy dog on an outing, and Roverandom was born as the adventures of said toy dog after it was lost.

[Calta]

Hello everyone,

Just taking a moment to let you all know about a new blog, Golden Treasure Inside is Hid, a fan site dedicated to discussion of the many wonderful Tolkien Lore Easter eggs and nuggets that are found throughout LOTRO. Please stop by some time, feel free to leave comments and suggestions there!

Just checked this website out. I thoroughly enjoyed your style- a great mixture of satisfying lore leavened by whimsy and humour. I do hope you can keep it going.

Thanks

[oldbadgerbrock]

I just completed the Wild Hunt quest chain. It seemed to me to have lots of little references to the sort of stories Tolkien might've heard as part of English myths. Like the Horned Huntsman, the Wild Hunt itself, little things like that adapted to fit Middle-earth.

Those elements are derived from Welsh mythology, not English. There is very little surviving mythology that is truly English. Tolkien felt that was due primarily to the Norman Conquest of 1066. This lack of mythology is what inspired, at least in part, his desire to create a mythology for the English. (See #131 of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.)

The only one I couldn't fit correctly was Gwenaewen; she sends you to race a falcon. The closest I could find on my little list were Gwael (Gull) and Gwaun (Goose). I'd guess my list is incomplete/inaccurate.

The name also contains aew, Sindarin for 'small bird'.

[Berephon]

Those elements are derived from Welsh mythology, not English. There is very little surviving mythology that is truly English. Tolkien felt that was due primarily to the Norman Conquest of 1066. This lack of mythology is what inspired, at least in part, his desire to create a mythology for the English. (See #131 of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.)


The name also contains aew, Sindarin for 'small bird'.

Correct on both counts. Gwenaewen is Gwên (Maiden) + Aewen (of Birds)

[Elenluin-Menelloth]

This is no lore nugget but I just looked it up and found that Thinglad means something like 'wood of grey'.
I guess all other elvish names in game are like that but now I want to know the meaning of all of them. Like Thangulhad for example, I think its shield something but not sure. Thanks for making me get interested in learning sindarin Berephon.

[Reniannen]

This is no lore nugget but I just looked it up and found that Thinglad means something like 'wood of grey'.
I guess all other elvish names in game are like that but now I want to know the meaning of all of them. Like Thangulhad for example, I think its shield something but not sure. Thanks for making me get interested in learning sindarin Berephon.

Actually Thangúlhad stands for something like "place of oppresive sorcery".
If you're interested in the meanings of the names you might want to visit this thread where many of the names are translated (or at least attempted to be).

[Elenluin-Menelloth]

Actually Thangúlhad stands for something like "place of oppresive sorcery".
If you're interested in the meanings of the names you might want to visit this thread where many of the names are translated (or at least attempted to be).

Thanks, this just what I was looking for.

[Reniannen]

I am not sure if this is explained in the quests as I didn't do all of them. I am at the point when Gadda left Stangard but anyway, I can boast my deductive abilites at the least.

Not sure if you have seen the Cuthstan in U6 but if you did you noticed that one of the statues is missing a hand which was taken by Orcs and later you learned the hand has gone to Isengard. I was wondering: what were the Orcs doing with a stone hand but then I remembered my previous adventures:


This is the Pillar of the White Hand, on the road to Isengard. More than likely this is the same hand that has been taken from the statue.