Today’s Beta Journal talks about one of the many Traits available in LOTRO for players to customize their characters with; Charity. Read on to learn about how Charity functions in LOTRO’s Traits and Deeds system!

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Virtues are the first traits available to characters, the first chance to really customize your character and playing experience. Among a Hobbits’ many positive traits, Charity might not necessarily come to mind first, but as a Hobbit Guardian, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of specializing in the virtue Charity. It all started when my Guardian was still getting his feet beneath him, with a shopping trip to Celondim in the Ered Luin for green onions. While visiting this beautiful outpost of the elves, I heard heartbreaking stories of loss and sadness from the locals, who suffered from persecution by both goblins and renegade dwarves in the area. What is a guardian to do but lend a hand? I enjoyed many hours of charitable works in the Ered Luin, recovering lost or stolen heirlooms, reuniting family members, and even rescuing an abandoned kitten (awwwwww…).

Before long, I was ready to pay a visit to the local elven bard to equip my Charity virtue. Since Charity has benefits including an increased protection from missile fire, I was able to complete more of these noble quests, advancing the virtue even farther. Soon I followed rumor of further tribulations to Buckland, just across the river from the Shire, where I saw first-hand how necessary the protection and Charity of a guardian was needed. Even in this beautiful land, so like the Shire, need was apparent. From recovering stolen goods and finding water for the thirsty to protecting innocents from the terrifying Barrow-Wights, the Breelands presented another opportunity for charitable behavior. Completing a sufficient number of these quests raised my Charity rank another notch, along with a corresponding increase in each of the corresponding benefits.

With my increased rate of power regeneration–another benefit of Charity–I was ready to follow the stories of refugees east, to the Forsaken Inn. Here in the Lone Lands, the need for Charity was obvious, as refugees crowded the room, hungry and cold. Gathering boar meat to cook, lynx pelts for blankets and creban feathers for pillow-stuffing took care of their immediate needs, and even rescuing lost friends continued to prove my guardian’s selfless dedication to Charity. On the same day I reached level 20, I also reached the fifth rank in my Charity trait. Along with the other benefits mentioned, this virtue makes me more than twice as resistant to wounding as my peers without Charity — an important and useful trait for a guardian. Of course, Charity work might not be for everyone – it was a long time before I finally saved up one whole gold piece in a day’s work!

A great feature is the ability to check out the virtues of other adventurers with whom you interact. Who can help but feel at least a little smug when you are the most charitable (or honorable, or zealous, or loyal…) member of the fellowship? With my dedication to charitable questing, I am excited to lift this trait even higher–a wonderful means of setting myself apart from the crowd!

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We hope you enjoyed this week’s Beta Journal! Check back next Wednesday for more!