Codemasters will introduce Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-dum to Lord of the Rings Online this Thursday, adding a new raid, new small-party instances, gameplay tweaks and a Summer Festival. The update launches in North America today.
The story follows some sorcerer bloke who wants to do evil things in the depths of Khazad-dum, which is also known as Moria - the big Dwarf place that Gandalf fights a Balrog in. Small parties will try to put a stop to this in a host of new instances, and there's a Dark Brotherhood quest arc that culminates in a 12-man raid.
The Summer Festival provides light relief to all this, tickling hairy toes with costumes, quests and Inn-based challenges.
Plus, as a thank you, Codemasters is offering a 20 per cent stablemaster discount to all active subscribers from 30th June.
There's no meaty list of gameplay tweaks just yet, but keep a Sauron's Eye on the European Lord of the Rings Online website for the Book 8 patch notes.