The Lord of the Rings Online Update 11: Treachery of the White Hand Launching May 13th

Warner Bros. and Turbine sent us an upper case-filled press release earlier today announcing plans to release Treachery of the White Hand, the eleventh free content pack for The Lord of the Rings Online since it switched to a F2P business model, on Monday, May 13th. Five new zones, mounted combat enhancements, daily presents, and more are all on tap:

UPDATE 11: TREACHERY OF THE WHITE HAND

THE EPIC STORY CONTINUES AS YOU ARE CALLED TO THE REMOTE REGION OF WILDERMORE! THIS EASTERN ROHAN AREA HAS BEEN HARD HIT BY AN UNNATURAL AND DEADLY WINTER. A STONE GIANT NAMED NÚRZUM, UNDER THE CONTROL OF SARUMAN, IS RUMORED AS THE SOURCE OF THIS ICY TRAGEDY. THROUGHOUT WILDERMORE, VILLAGES HAVE SUFFERED RAVAGE AND TOWNSFOLK HAVE BECOME REFUGEES. FOLLOW IN THE CHILLY FOOTSTEPS OF EVIL AS YOU ATTEMPT TO RESTORE THIS ONCE THRIVING REGION.

EMBARK THROUGH FIVE NEW AREAS

WRITHENDOWNS
All word from Wildermore has ceased and rumors point to the worst. You must find and aid the town of Scylfig, which suffers from a strangely deepening winter and an Uruk-hai threat.

The Fallows
Uruk-hai invaders have torched the region’s farms, slaying many and driving the survivors from their homes. You must ride into the smoldering remains to help drive out the evil tides of Núrzum’s raiders before meeting with the brooding Reeve of Wildermore.

Whitshaws
As the brutal winter rages, many folk have gone missing, and the small village of Dunfast is in dire need of protection. You must follow in the wake of Núrzum’s destruction, but can you find him in time? Face marauding Warbands as you race to save the people of Dunfast.

HIGH KNOLLS
The town of the High Knolls, Byre Tor, long held out against the powers of Núrzum, but now has fallen to the beastly enemy. Venture among forbidding crags in search of the city’s hunted refugees, but use caution, for whispers warn that the Knolls are thick with Saruman’s minions!

BALEWOOD
In the unruly, northern expanses of Fangorn Forest, the Darkness has taken hold. In the Balewood, violent Huorns and Wood-trolls prowl and Saruman’s Uruk-hai linger. You must gather young Ents to rally against the growing corruption.

The Wildermore Quest pack is free to VIPs

ALSO NEW TO UPDATE 11

‘¢ Mounted combat revamp
New class-specific traits now enhance your mounted combat skills, while bonuses to mobility have been moved from traits to your base steed.

‘¢ Hobbit presents!
Another reason to get in the game! All players will receive a Silver Hobbit Present each day they log in to LOTRO. Rewards vary from common to legendary and are tailored to your logged-in character’s level and class.

‘¢ New VIP benefits
Improved offerings for VIPs, including a custom character portrait frame, improved bonus experience system and better Hobbit presents.