Rune Keeper
Traits of a Rune-keeper
Aug 26th
Well, it’s been a little while, hasn’t it? I hope you’ve all been perfecting your craft as a Rune-keeper since last I wrote. We’re finally getting around to talking about a very important component of any class: traits. Thankfully, Rune-keeper traits are generally pretty cut-and-dry. If you want to heal, you fill most of your slots with Benediction of Peace traits. If you like to DPS, you pick either Solitary Thunder or Cleansing Fire traits. And then you cross-pollinate a little with traits from other sets to suit your playstyle. If you’re having trouble deciding on which traits to choose, read on! What follows is my personal take on every individual trait in our major trait sets: which ones shouldn’t be missed, which ones fit more specific situations, and which can be safely ignored.
The Writ of Rune-keeping: levels 51 – 65
Aug 2nd
You’ve proven your skill time and time again to the denizens of Eriador: but now it is time to test your mettle in the depths of Moria and under the grim canopy of Mirkwood. There aren’t many skills to be gained between levels 51 and 65, but at this stage in the game, you’ll have an unrivaled number of opportunities for your existing skills to be tested. We’ll be fairly brief this week, covering your last seven Rune-keeper skills, your final three legendary traits, and how to get them.
Huzzah, Moria!
The Writ of Rune-keeping: levels 31-50
Jul 23rd
As a Writ of Fire burns on and on, so too do our journeys through Middle-earth. In this week’s post, we’ll talk about Rune-keeper skills from levels 31 – 50, legendary trait deeds at level 39, and the level 45 class quests that push you to venture into the strongholds of Angmar. For those of you interested in skirmishes (give ‘em a try!), I recommend Almazar’s recent posts here. He has skirmishes covered pretty well, so I won’t add any echoes to the room.
The Fellowship of a Rune-keeper
Jul 16th
We interrupt your regularly scheduled leveling guide for this important announcement: Rune-keepers are awesome in fellowships! As you reach level 20, you’ll have your first real opportunity for serious fellowing in Othrongroth, the Great Barrow, so we’re taking a break from our steady level progression to talk about how Rune-keepers work within a fellowship. From here on out, you’ll have many opportunities to join a fellowship, from single fellowship quests to sprawling dungeons like the Great Barrow, Fornost, Carn Dûm, and many more. This post will guide you through the two roles a Rune-keeper can have in a fellowship, as well as spending a little time on a game mechanic that may be new to you if you’ve never fellowed before: aggro.
The Writ of Rune-keeping: levels 11-30
Jul 8th
Letters make words, words make sentences, sentences make paragraphs, and paragraphs make for some spectacular results when you’re a Rune-keeper! Now that we’re familiar with the basics of keeping the runes—attunement and your early skills—we can confidently embark on the intermediate portion of the leveling journey: levels 11 through 30. We’ll talk about important Rune-keeper stats, the skills learned from levels 11 to 30, traits, and the tools of a Rune-keeper’s trade. That’s a lot to cover, so let’s get to it!
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but my words can call down lightning.
Rune-keeper ABC’s
Jul 2nd
The Doors of Durin. The voice of Saruman. The creation of Middle Earth by the music and song of the Ainur. Words hold a power in Middle Earth when wielded by those who know them. This is the calling and power of the Rune-keeper, described as “gifted linguists and masters of true names.” When roused to anger, Rune-keepers are some of the most powerful foes of the Enemy; when bent towards healing, Rune-keepers can keep their fellows’ spirits high in the face of the gravest dangers. This guide is intended to help Rune-keepers as they learn their craft, from their first Preludes of Hope to the final Epic Conclusions of their leveling journey. Today’s post starts us off with the basics: what Rune-keepers do, how they play, and the first 1–10 levels of playing a Rune-keeper. More >
Omsi Irongut, at your service!
Jun 27th
A hearty “Hullo!” from Omsi Irongut of the Shire, formerly of the Lonely Mountain, professional rune-keeper, amateur cartographer, avid bagpiper, and officer of the Lonely Mountain Band.
My journeys have taken me all over, under, and through Arda, beginning after I was called to serve my brethren in the Blue Mountains and continuing as I pick through the black fortress of Dol Guldur. Along the way, I’ve learned a thing or two about keeping the runes and it will be my pleasure to share what I know of the rune-keeper class.
Look forward to such riveting installments as: tips for starting and leveling a rune-keeper, helpful hints for healing, and What’s Bugging Us Today. I’m always open to questions or suggestions, so if there’s something specific you’d like to see discussed, just shoot me a message.
At your service, and your family's!
Welcome to the LOTRO Reporter family!
Jun 27th
It is with great pride that I announce the addition of three people to the LOTRO Reporter Family: Bor, Rubywing and Omsi, our new class columnists.
Bor is the writer for the Gondor Awaits blog, and the host of the Gondor Awaits podcast, both of which can be found here. Bor also happens to be the most active alt-aholic I have ever met. Go over to his site and check out his list of character. WOW! He is an expert on a great deal of classes! Therefore, we’re please to have him write a few of the class columns for the site, starting with the Guardian, Hunter and Captain.
I first noticed Rubywing’s work in the LOTRO community when I read her crafting pages in the LOTRO Lorebook. She is amazing! You can find her personal blog here. She’ll be starting the Minstrel column, and I look forward to reading her insights.
Omsi was recommended to become the Rune Keeper columnist by Candace of the Green Dragon Inn. He comes to the site with great experience writing guides on the forums and on his kinship forums. I’m excited to see what he recommends as I level my own Rune Keeper.
Welcome to the family, Bor, Rubywing, and Omsi!
