The Arda Post - New Concept Art and Dev Diary

We've got 3 new concept art pictures - of Gorgoroths - and a whole new Dev Diary for you!

Here's an excerpt on the Gorgoroths, you can see the concept art in the Gallery section of the AP site:

In the early days of Angmar, the Witch-king sent forces North to "collect" the remnants of an evil race that was long believed destroyed, but which Sauron's far-seeing eye spied in the ruins of the Northern Waste. These ancient creatures were few in number but great in strength; of Troll-kind but far more cunning, and exceedingly cruel. The name given them was Gorthorog.

Recognizing the power of the Witch-king and of his master in Mordor, these creatures willingly joined with Angmar and Sauron. The smiths of Angmar outfitted them with powerful arms and armor, and they became Angmar's most devastating fighters, set at the front of Angmar's armies like the sharp edge of a blade. With their help, the Witch-king won many battles against the kingdoms of Arnor. Some say that it was Gorthorogs who tore down the Tower of Amon Sûl, toppling it into ruin, but none survive to confirm that tale.

To read the rest of the description, head on over to the Official site and check out the Gorgoroth concept art.

The latest Dev Diary: is by Chris Pierson - world builder and Tolkien Lore Guy- entiteld "By Water, Wood and Hill"

Hi. My name's Chris, which is confusing, since it seems like there are about a billion designers named Chris at Turbine. But I was the first – in a couple of weeks, I'll be nine years with the company. I'm old. But still not as old as NobOrBob (who was Design Chris #2). Or Floon Beetle, who, according to NobOrBob, is the Eldest of us all.

Speaking of which, I put Tom Bombadil's house in the world a few hours ago. More about that later.

I've done a lot of things at Turbine – writing game specs, making quests, proofreading press releases, helping plan our holiday parties, even defending our use of Sindarin. Those of you who read the boards may remember the kafuffle over the Rogmul's name. I'm the pedant who wrote the defense of that name. Yes, I know Elvish, which for those of you keeping track at home, adds an automatic 500 points to my Raging Geek Score.

Anyway, over the past few years I've discovered that one of my favorite things to do at work (besides the party-planning thing) is world-building. It started by accident, when a few of us were given hobbit villages to build. I made Brockenborings, and was surprised to find that (a) I liked the work, and (b) other people liked what I'd done. Next thing I knew, I was building Thorin's Hall.

To read the full diary, click here.