Today's article features a major component on LOTRO, Morale. Developer Chris "Hakai" Clay gives us the walkthrough on LOTRO's Morale system, and how it will affect you, the player.  Here's a short excerpt:

The Morale system is a powerful tool for us (and the players). It's similar enough to standard hit-point based systems to be immediately recognizable and understood by most gamers – even armour works to embolden a player, and keep their morale high by saving them from glancing blows – and yet it still allows us to link it into the lore of Middle-earth in creative ways. It empowers us to tie events taking place in the world around you into changes in your character's Morale. For example, depending on your race and class, you could gain Morale when you defeat an enemy in combat. Potentially, you could even pass on this benefit to the rest of your Fellowship through abilities that are unique to your character's class. Perhaps a minstrel NPC could raise the overall Morale of a party by singing a rousing song, as could the successful completion of a critical stage of a quest. The appearance of a Nazgûl could lower the Morale of anyone nearby. By its very nature, Morale is more easily tied into the world of Middle-earth than a traditional health point system.

To read the full diary, click here.