Greetings and the best of 2012!  First, a hardy welcome to the many, many new members who have joined us since December, in both LOTRO and SWTOR. 

People are returning to Sons of Numenor following a long holiday break, and the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic.  I want to take a bit of time to bring everybody up to speed, let them know how things are developing in both LOTRO and SWTOR.  If this is your first newsletter, make sure to read it.  This is one of the main ways I am able to help folks find what they need in Sons of Numenor.

Housekeeping:

Q: How did the SWTOR Launch go, and how did it impact LOTRO?

A:  It went very well.  We are on "Lord Adraas" server, along with a very very large number of both LOTRO and Landroval guilds and players.  Our Republic Guild is "Sons of Numenor," and it has afforded us a lot of name recognition among other current and former LOTRO players there.  The Imperial guild is called Scions of Korriban.  We are seeing prime-time numbers between 25 and 35 on the Republic side, and 5-10 on the Imperial side.

Q: How are our LOTRO numbers doing?

A:  Numenorean Guard is still running raids, instances, and more.  I'm seeing a dozen or more online most any night.  Sons of Numenor is pushing 20 at peak prime-time, 12 a low tide.  Recruiting continues unabated and we are growing.  I'm hearing anecdotally from other guild leaders, players, etc, that LOTRO has indeed taken a pretty firm hit with SWTOR going live.  Yet the game has not emptied out.  New players continue to find their way to it.  There isn't a shortage of players to be sure.  Plus SWTOR is still very new, and we are between content updates.  So there isn't any reason to worry too much.  Regardless, SoN is positioned exactly where we want it to be, as to ride-out any turbulance. 

Other notes:

With our veteran players spread far and wide now, we have a lot more new members per capita in-game.  This means folks aren't as framiliar with each other as normally is the case.  Please take time to say hello to folks logging-in.  Make a point of conciously being a bit more social as you get in-game.  It will do the community a great deal of good.

We do have TeamSpeak3 now for SoN.  There is no voice-chat in SWTOR, plus we wanted a way to "page" people across.  You do NOT have to Voice Chat.  Some guilds require it, we do not.  HOWEVER, it is a great way to text chat across games.  If you need to find somebody, drop by, post a text message in-channel.  Also, I do keep the Tolkien Audio room open most nights.  If you want to listen to the various Tolkine Audio Books, such as The Hobbit, Simarillion, Lord of the Rings, I'm happy to get it playing on request.

Sons of Numenor's first LOTRO-Con is set for the weekend of July 21, 2012, at Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio.  We are reaching out to other LOTRO guilds, and expect very good numbers in the 50 range.  Likewise, we likely will enjoy swag from Turbine for the occasion.  More details coming.

The first Mobiel App, for Sons of Numenor is up on the Android Marketplace.  It is a nice way to track the forums, our Twitter, Youtube, and news channels!  Coming soon for iPhone and Windows Phone. 

How to contact Benjimir:

If you ever have questions, concerns, feedback, or complaints about anything, or anybody, please consider me your first point of contact.  My door is always open, and the sooner I know, the faster I can help or assist.

My points of contact include and are open to members:  Email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  In-game: SWTOR-Republic, Benjimir.  SWTOR-Empire, Kyron, LOTRO, Benjimir.  Mobile Text: 419-345-1141 (limited response time during the day, but it is a good way to send a heads-up, do identify yourself on your first text so I can add you.) Facebook: Nathan Boyle, the guy with everything locked down.  And in-game mail does work also.  Don't hesitate to use it.

Social Media Mavens Wanted:

We have several projects we can use your help for.  We are starting TolkienAficionados.com, GalacticHolonetNews.com, as well as going active with the SoN Twitter, Facebook fan pages.  I am actively seeking those who would like to try their hands at writing about LOTRO and SWTOR game news and events, Tweeting and posting guild events on our social media pages, writing about Tolkien related news, and more.  Send me a note if you might have an interest.

LOTRO Notes:

The holiday hiatus is over.  Weekly patrols have resumed 10:30 each Sunday at our Kinship hall.  The next episodes of The Book of Thursby are due to begin in this month.  I am actively seeking officers for all time-zones.  I would especially like to speak with people who can aid in recruiting for the PST, Oceanic, and European time zones.  Apply at our forums under "Officer Application."

Our first "Member of the Month" recognition is February 1st.  If you know a member of any level you would like to recognize with a LOTRO Gamecard, nominate them in-game by sending Benjimir a note!  New winners each month.

SWTOR Notes:

I'm resetting the officer ranks this week.  We elevated all members to officer in order to speed the pre-order and launch week crowds into the guild.  I am actively seeking officers for both the Sons of Numenor and Scions of Korriban, for all time-zones. 

The first SWTOR "Member of the Month" is February 1st.  If you know a member of any level you would like to recognize with a LOTRO Gamecard, nominate them in-game by sending Benjimir or Kyron (Scions of Korriban) a note!  New winners each month.

The first SWTOR "Book of Thursby" RP event will be the weekend of February 3.  This will be a foundational Heavy RP gathering on the Republic Side. 

Want to go see Star Wars: The Phantom Meance (3D) with guildmates?  Keep an eye on our Real-life events section in the forums!

When in doubt, drop by the website and say hi!

Be well,

Benjimir