Our first content update, Book 9: Shores of Evendim, expanded the world of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings Online^TM: Shadows of Angmar^TM with new quests, content, and an entire new region. For our next update we wanted to introduce something a little different!

One of the new features to be introduced in our next big content update is what we're calling Session Play!

Session Play is a new system that allows you to play as a character other than your normal character. These characters do not have permanence, so you don't keep them like you do your Free Peoples or monster play characters. You could play as a Ranger, a Troll, or... a chicken. It's an opportunity to explore Middle-earth from a different - and sometimes unexpected - viewpoint.

(Click for larger images)

In this sneak peek, you can explore as a chicken. Yes, a chicken. As a most unlikely adventurer, you'll help out your fowl friends defend against the wolf menace. As a feathered fortune-seeker you can talk to other animals and learn more about the world from the point of view of characters like Old Sally, Wolf, Grip, and Fang, and other famous and furry personalities from The Lord of the Rings Online. Talk to a cat in the Cat Lady's house in Bree, or meet the im-peck-able Radagast. This new experience will give you a view of the story line from a different perspective and introduces unique skills, quests, accomplishments, and even an alternative way to earn Destiny Points during your explorations!

Playing as a chicken is dangerous, but has its rewards. By finishing the quest line you can earn a unique weapon, and even an egg-sclusive item, for your player character! As a final perk, once you've finished the quest line you can roam the land, unfettered, in chicken-form, where you can complete Deeds to earn destiny points.

Why did the chicken cross Eriador? Now you can find out!