New mini-expansion announced

At todays panel at Devcom in Germany, SSG announced the name of the upcoming update and/or mini expansion. Before the shadow. Taking place in Cardolan and Swanfleet

https://www.lotro.com/news/lotro-before-the-shadow-announcement-en?locale=en_US

Official information about content

New epic story taking place in the expansion area. Concerning older characters going back.
The design is that the ‘Before the Shadow’ storyline is parallel to the early Epic Books of Volume I; it doesn’t lock them out, or prevent you from doing them, and if you want to pick up the ‘Before the Shadow’ storyline after you do the early Epic Books, you should be able to do that. I’ve been approaching it as if it were ‘Before the Shadow[s of Angmar]

New 6-man and a skirmish added

Unknown if the 6-man also takes place inside the new landscape area. As well no information about any updates accompanying the skirmish camp or barters.

New Delving system

Tied into the Legendary item system. Meant to provide an alternative for the RNG in tracery boxes etc. Not much known beyond this.

Extra difficulty system.

New difficulty options introduction. First meant for skirmishes and missions. Supposely working like the twists inside missions itself. “Possibly” expanded in future updates.

Unofficial and other information

Earlier RPG released by ICE involving Tharbad. An ancient den of thieves with plenty of information about the area, mobs and other points of interest.

http://merp1.free.fr/3%20-%20Adventure%20Modules/MERP%208050%20-%20Thieves%20of%20Tharbad.pdf

Largest wiki entry related to Cardolan https://notionclubarchives.fandom.com/wiki/Cardolan