The developers of the MMORPG Lord of the Rings Online appeared at the tabletop fair GenCon and took the opportunity to present some new features. Among them: A brand-new race of rather unusual dwarves.
What was presented? During GenCon, the largest tabletop fair in North America, the Executive Producer of Standing Stone Games, Rob Ciccolini, introduced the new race of “Stout Axe” dwarves.
The announcement was made in the context of two major news regarding older MMORPGs from Standing Stone Games, Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons Online. The “Stout Axe” dwarves are set to come with the next expansion.
Details about the “Stout Axe” dwarves
This is the story of the dwarves: The “Stout Axe” dwarves are described by the developers as a tough and “cruel” dwarven clan. They also received a Ring of Power, which they have never returned.
Due to this decision, the powers of Mordor besieged the home of the “Stout Axe” far in the east and captured a large part of the population, enslaving them.
The slaves spent their lives in the mines and smelters of Mordor, losing their identity and language over generations and physically changing until they eventually rebelled and were able to free themselves.
Dwarven women come to Lord of the Rings Online
What makes the dwarves special: Unlike their playable counterparts in LOTRO, the “Stout Axe” dwarves will receive actual female variants. This has not been the case with dwarves so far, as according to the lore, male and female dwarves do not outwardly differ.
Additionally, the “Stout Axe” dwarves will have a completely different stature. They are meant to be slimmer, taller, and “grimmer”, shaped by the many generations of slavery.
In Lord of the Rings Online, the “Stout Axe” will have their own starting area.
When will the “Stout Axe” dwarves arrive? The dwarves were announced as a new playable race for the upcoming “Minas Morgul” expansion. However, when exactly it is set to be released has not yet been disclosed.
Next, in a few weeks, the Update 24.2 will be released, continuing the story after the valleys of Anduin at the Swordel. Here, you will advance the story after Mordor with Gandalf and prepare for the journey to Imlad Morgul.
