The title says it all. The members of Stronghold-Knights have been working on a Stronghold 2, Lord of the Rings themed map pack, with game modifications, for months now, and we have released a set of nine maps and other modifications to mark our progress as well as whet the appetite of anyone interested. Read on to learn what has been done so far, and what is still to come.

Submitted by the SH2 LoTR Project Team

The Stronghold 2 Lord of the Rings Project is an open, collaborative effort to make a Lord of the Ring themed map-pack/mod for Stronghold 2, sponsored by Stronghold-Knights.com. The members of Stronghold Knights have been working on this project since X29 started the ball rolling back in the summer of 2005. This mini-release is to highlight what has been accomplished so far, and so that players can experience some of the more complete maps now. Some of these maps are completely done, a few have some slight touch ups that can not be completed until more modifications are complete, and a few are simply being released to whet the appetite of players everywhere.

Installation Instructions

First off, you should download the SH2 Lord of the Rings Mini-Release. Place all the map files (those ending in .s2m) in your 'My Documents/Stronghold 2/Maps' folder. Then run the easy install program which will make backups of all the modified files, and then install the new custom material. To remove the modifications, just run the uninstall program. The new maps will remain and will have to be removed manually, but we know you will like them too much to delete them.

What is the Objective

The main thrust of the project is to completely rewrite the Path of War campaign. 12 new maps, new briefings, new backgrounds, new messages and sounds. We will even use the built in campaign split to extend telling of the Fellowship of the Ring. Travel from the Shire, to Rivendell, and under the mountains in Moria. Then follow Frodo and Sam into Mordor, or with the rest through Helms Deep and Minas Tirith. Unique quests and finely orchestrated siege warfare awaits the player when all is done.

Besides the modifications of the Path of War, we will be introducing new skins, new crests and updated sound and text into the game. We also have in the works many other stand alone maps that range from economic leisure to intense siege warfare, all themed around the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Where we still need help

Though many members have contributed the design skills for the new maps, we always have room for more to join. Also, there are quite a few graphics and sound files that we would like to update. So if you have skills in these areas, and have an interest in the Lord of the Rings, let us know.

Specifically, we still need a lot of help in the graphical updates arena. All the background for the Path of War chapters need to be updates, as well as many of the other Path of War images. Also, so voice talent may be required as we wish to incorporate custom messages and briefings into the Project. The other large task is in the making of the introduction movie. Still shots and vidoe captures of the new maps will need to combined into a good looking new movie.

Check the SH2 LoTR Forums for all the plans and ways to help.

What we have done thus far

Here is a small, non-exhaustive look at what has been included in the mini-release of the SH2 LoTR Project.

First, here are three custom crests that have been designed exclusively for this project: Isengard, Mordor and Gondor by TTemplar.

From ShadowLord's Amon Hen map



From PsychoSam's Edoras map



From X29's Helm's Deep map



From LordAussie's Lothlorien map



From X29's Moria map





From Lord Amik's Retaking of Osgiliath map



From X29's Minas Tirith map