The shortest-lived of the races of Middle-earth, yet also the race destined to rule in the years beyond the Third Age, the race of Men is defined by their relatively short life span. Their mortality was considered a unique gift, but in time it became known as "The Doom of Men" and a source of lamentation.

Men are a varied race, from the great Dunédain of the North to the skilled Horse-lords of Rohan, and from the proud soldiers of Gondor to the mysterious Haradrim far to the east. They are capable of great courage and honour; yet they can also easily fall prey to ambition, deceit, and betrayal.  Known simply as the "Big Folk" to the Hobbits of the Shire, Men are characterized by a large, strong frame and a driving will borne out of a relatively short life span. 

In designing the race of Men for The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, the difficulty is in creating a race of characters that is not seen as simply "ordinary" amongst the other fascinating races of the land.  Men occupy a unique place within J.R.R. Tolkien's lore, since (though they may not realize it themselves) they are the race of destiny.  Men are also easily swayed and exceedingly ambitious.  Many have been corrupted by promises of power and these make up a sizable portion of the armies of the Dark Lord, along with the other, more outwardly monstrous races of Middle-earth.  The Men that populate the game as NPCs are particularly interesting, since the motivations of Men are often unknown and appearances can easily deceive.  Conversations with Men met in Bree, for instance, can be challenging to the unwary; for within that city's walls there reside both Free People fighting for good and also a dark element of corrupted Men fighting against the light.

Man Passive Skills
Diminishing of Mankind
Decreased Will - Men have weaker wills than the other races.
Subtracts 8 from Will.

Easily Inspired
Increased Morale Restoration - Men can be roused to action faster than the other races (heals heal for more on Men).
The Race of Man, when pressed, respond well to impassioned speeches that raise morale.

Gift of Men
Improved Fate - Men have the greatest destiny of all the Free Peoples.
Adds 15 to Fate.

Strong Men
Improved Strength.
Adds 15 to Might.

Classes available to the Race of Men: Champion, Guardian, Captain, Burglar, Hunter, Minstrel

Throughout the ages, the deeds and struggles of the noble race of Elves have been entwined with the very history of Middle-earth.  They remember all too well the devastation caused by the tides of evil that once darkened the land - a shadow which threatens to do so once again.  In ages past, the Elves divided into many different groups, and settled throughout Middle-earth, primarily in the ancient forested realms where they yet live.  Tall and strong, fair and graceful, Elves have keen senses and a deep affinity for the beauty of the natural world around them. Elves do not "die" in the way understood by Men; Elves often live in the lands of Middle-earth for thousands of years, suffering neither the effects of time nor disease, though the body of an Elf may be struck down in battle.  At the end of their days in Middle-earth, the Elves travel to unknown realms across the western sea.

Long ago, the Elves welcomed the "younger" races of Middle-earth and allied with them when the need was great, but centuries of war, betrayal, and hardship have made them fiercely protective of their seclusion.  Now, as the Third Age draws to a close and the War of the Ring is at hand, the Elves are once again stirring from their forested realms and hidden valleys, allying with the Free Peoples of Middle-earth against the darkness which grows from both the North and East. 

Elf Passive Skills
Agility of the Woods
Improved Agility.
Adds 15 to Agility.

Fading of the Firstborn
Reduced Fate.
Subtracts 8 from Fate.

Sorrow of the Firstborn
Reduced Morale and Out of Combat Morale Regeneration - Elves feel things more deeply than the other races, and are more subject to sorrow.
Subtracts 20.0 from Max Morale.
Subtracts 1.0 from Morale Regeneration in non-Combat.

Suffer No Illness
Improved resistance to Disease and Poison - Elves do not suffer illness.
Adds 1.0% to Disease Resistance.
Adds 1.0% to Poison Resistance.

Classes available to the Race of Elves: Champion, Guardian, Minstrel, Hunter, Lore-Master

The stout Dwarves of Middle-earth are known for their steadfast determination, hearty strength, and commitment to all things found in the world's deep places.  Living a secretive life in their homes beneath the great mountains, Dwarves are expert miners and workers of stone and metal, capable of crafting with great strength and renown, along with unparalleled beauty and intricacy.  Unwavering and proud, the Dwarves fight for the Free Peoples of Middle-earth (although an ages-old mistrust exists between Dwarves and Elves), emerging from their deep dwellings to bring their strength and fierce combat skills to bear in the battle against the Darkness in the East.  Dwarves stand on average approximately 4 and a half to 5 feet high and typically live long lives of 250 years or more.

The Dwarves are excellent warriors and master craftsmen, displaying unique toughness in battle and the ability to create great things. Ever secretive, Dwarves oft begin their adventure in the soaring halls carved from beneath Ered Luin (The Blue Mountains), a land steeped in history and natural beauty near the western shores of Middle-earth.

Dwarf Passive Skills
Lost Dwarf-Kingdoms
Reduced Fate - The Dwarves' time in Middle-earth is fading.
Subtracts 8 from Fate.

Stocky
Reduced Agility - Dwarves are naturally less agile than the other races.
Subtracts 8 from Agility.

Sturdiness
Increased Might and Vitality, improved Common damage mitigation - Dwarves are a sturdy race.
Adds 15 to Might.
Adds 10 to Vitality.
Adds 1.0% to Common Mitigation.

Unwearying in Battle
Bonus to In-Combat morale and power regeneration, penalty to out-of-combat morale and power regen.
Adds 0.5 to Morale Regeneration in Combat.
Adds 0.5 to Power Regeneration in Combat.

Classes available to the Race of Dwarves: Champion, Guardian, Minstrel, Hunter

There are few recorded deeds of Hobbits until late in the Third Age of Middle-earth, which is just the way Hobbits would prefer it.  They are simple, quiet folks, preferring to dwell in hillside holes in and around the area known as The Shire in western Eriador. Called "Halflings" by some due to their size relative to Men, these small folk enjoy the peaceful endeavours of farming, eating, and gift giving, rather than concerning themselves with the dangerous affairs of the rest of Middle-earth (save the legends of Hobbit bowmen in the wars of Fornost).  In these dark days, however, it is the unassuming Hobbits, with their often surprising adeptness of both word and action, that will have the greatest impact in the war between the Free Peoples and the lengthening Shadow from the North.

From the most modest of beginnings, Hobbits are capable of the grandest of deeds.  Their nimbleness and quick-thinking are well documented of course, but Hobbits are not to be underestimated.  Hobbits, although small in size relative to the other races, are sturdy of body, determined in their actions, and good with bow or knife (when they have to be).  Their small frame belies a toughness and spirit of a capable adventurer in the lands of Middle-earth.

Hobbit Passive Skills
Four Square Meals
Improved Eating - Hobbits get a bonus to food usage.
Adds 1.0 to Morale Regeneration in non-Combat.

Hobbit Courage
Improved Fear Resistance - The slow-kindled courage of the Hobbit race.
Adds 1.0% to Fear Resistance.

Hobbit Toughness
Improved Vitality - Hobbits are remarkably tough.
Adds 15 to Vitality.

Rapid Recovery
Improved out-of-combat Morale Regeneration - Hobbits recover from trying times faster than other races.
Adds 1.0 to Morale Regeneration in non-Combat.

Resist Corruption
Improved Shadow Mitigation - Hobbits have a great resistance to temptation.
Adds 1.0% to Shadow Mitigation.

Small Size
Reduced Might - Hobbits lack the physical strength of other races.
Subtracts 8 from Might.

Classes available to the Race of Hobbits: Guardian, Minstrel, Burglar, Hunter