Editor's Note by Mapthor
Howdy gamers, how y’all doing? Another week, another Times edition where I gotta type some stuff up for you wonderful people. Lots of work is getting done both on and off the server. Just in these last two weeks, we had a few promotions in the community, lots of jobs have got the commoners involved in the community, and the Guides kinda took over the News channel with minigame and audiobook announcements. Speaking of the Guides, they went on a “vacation” to Disneyworld for some team bonding which was a wonderful experience. Granted that happens tomorrow on the 14th, by the time you read this it’ll already have happened so there’s that. As the world slowly reopens around us, don’t forget to support local business, talk to your friends, and most importantly, play on Minecraft Middle-Earth!

Happy Sailing my friends,
Mapthor

"What? What happened to Soarz?! I want a refund!" I hear you say. Fear not! Myself and Soarz have agreed that running the times every edition without fail, is a bit of a big ask, especially with all of the other wonderful work Soarz does, a little "stress relief" is in order I believe! So, we're going to take it in turns. Myself one edition, Soarz the next. Pretty simple eh? Well, I'll let you be the judge of that! See if you can spot the difference between editions. Anyway, happy reading! - Raffy



Anorien - Lead: @Oberanio | In Progress
Report by Raffy

Not much to report here this week. Some small concepts have been made for the caves south of Dol Caranthan, but not much more than that!





Lond Daer – Lead: @Ivan1pl | In Progress
Report byMonster_Duck

Mattlego and Luk have been making some wonderful concepts for Lond Daer and Ivan continues to make plans for the project. Every week it moves slowly toward completion.





Moria – Lead: @barteldvn | In progress
Report by Monster_Duck

The building team is busily working in Moria. The great cavern is nearly finished thanks to the numerous stalactites and stalagmites that have been created. Daom has been planning a new mining dwelling, and the donut cave has steadily progressed. Many caves are being voxelled along the fellowship’s path thanks to the lovely artists Lacotax and Draonic Slayer.





Osgiliath – Lead: @ooitsbirdo | In progress
Report by FoolhardyFish

Plots have finally made a reappearance in Osgiliath, with the large majority having been completed. The Dome of Stars is as close to finish as I am aware and the walls are seeing a fair few jobs every week. As far as progress is concerned, Osgiliath is moving along exceptionally well and I am as always extremely grateful for the help that has been provided by the Commoners and Artists finishing plots throughout. I myself have been focusing on the street and alleyway vegetation and that is also going rather well.






Henneth Annun – Lead: @LeBlancGandalf | In progress
Report by Raffy

A new project! Wow! @Mithrilled and @Eriol_Eandur have both been busy helping improve the Ithilien location. Mith has redone the waterfall (making it one straight fall) as well as the cave itself, and Eriol has been busy making the surrounding terrain more fitting with the books. I look forward to watching the sunset over then anduin!






We’ve had a busy couple of weeks but worry not, awaywind is here to catch you up! Early in the fortnight the guides challenged the community to find the hidden ring on the server! You have till the end of the month to find the ring and if you do make sure to message @Archimdes. The guides also gave a four and a half hour long tour to the Intercollegiate Game Network. Thank you to ICGN for letting us show y’all around, all the guides that helped and a special round of applause to @mapthor who really took the reins and led the tour. Speaking of mapthor, don’t forget to check out the monthly podcast he hosts. MCME Fashion Week was announced. Prepare your special skin for July 5 at 5:30 pm BST! If you didn’t catch it - and no, it’s not a fish - the weekly theme build will be Tirith Aear!

Become a Donor
Keeping MCME running is not free, every month we have to pay $235 to keep up all our work. Donations help us keep doing what we love and providing you with amazing builds to look at. Donations are not required but greatly accepted, if you want to help us in our feat of rebuilding Middle Earth in Minecraft you can donate here.
Viewing Donation Drive: Community Costs

Our Donors

• DukeOfWellington

#MCMEdoesnotrunitself

#NEWS
Work on the Gondor pack!
The new Gondor pack is moving ever closer to its second snapshot - streambed textures. This should be hitting a realm of men near you soon!


Report by Raffy

Archimdes: Your beloved Build Battle Boss Arch has finally achieved his true colours! Huge congrats to Arch for becoming the latest member of the ever expanding teal army!
Promotion

Mapthor: The Might Mapthor now adds yet another M to his name! Congrats to Map who I'm sure will ban those unruly trolls with ease!
Promotion

Mithrilled: After a very successful trial job, it's great to see the fantastic foremen gain another member. Many jobs will be ran by our favourite Artist-Moderator (and now Foreman-Moderator) Mith!
Promotion





Interview with @Archimdes

Question 1. How did you find MCME?
Well, I've been watching a very small YouTube channel called "Node" for about 7ish years. I stumbled across a Lord Of The Rings Minecraft Battle they did with MCME. I was like "Well I like LOTR and I have minecraft" so wam-bam I joined the server for an hour and disappeared for a few of months.

Question 2. What was your experience like as an Adventurer?
I "rejoined" the server when my quarantine/lock down started (OMG that was basically 3 months ago, time does go fast) and my life as an Adventurer was pretty quick - I think about 6 hours - But I remember talking to Ginger quite a lot as well as trying to play Hide and Seek with Monster. I very much "attempted" (not even being the word) at some theme builds. These places I will never return too!

Question 3. What made you want to become a Guide?
So the thing which attracted me to being a Guide was the: Tp Command, Changing Gamemode/ gm 3, and access to the #news chat. Can't really think of any other reasons... Oh yeah I can't build for my life.

Question 4. What is your favourite thing about being a Guide?
Well at the time of writing this I've been Guide for 5 days, so... can't comment on much. But I do like waking up in the morning and reading everything which happens on discord that night. Very entertaining.

Question 5. What is your favourite place on MCME?
This is a tuffy. Mean I absolutely love DA who doesn't, the builds are incredible there (also I don't crash when warping to it now)! I also enjoy the small villages and towns across the map, they're just fun to visit. But my fav place in MCME is Freebuild (When I don't crash) because of the amount of weirdness which goes into that place is insane!

Question 6. Who is your favorite character from Tolkien's legendarium?
Whichever person that has less lore to research and talk about.

Report by Ben_the_Epic!





This week we have another round of amazing builds and Media posts. We only choose from the best every time, so hard work does pay off. Sometimes it can get competitive and that is what will win a place here. Please give a warm welcome to this Times, winners of this week.

MEDIA Winners:


For clarification: this piece is just for the regular media winners, which we have always had, and these screenshots do not necessarily follow any theme.

That being said, congratulations to GingerlyGinger for winning this fortnight’s selection! Thank you to everyone who shared their amazing screenshots.
I regularly choose screenshots from these fortnightly selections to be posted on our social media, so make sure to check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account: maybe you’ll see your screenshot!

(http://imgur.com/a/wfRyany)



THEME-BUILD Winners
Lots of great themed builds to choose from these past two weeks, but one can win for each. For the Pits of Isengard, the Themed Build of the Fortnight goes thomasd20! And for the Free-for-all Castle, the winner is Neon_Peon! Make sure to congratulate this edition's winners and check out our honorable mentions.

(http://imgur.com/a/rL7E27t)

The War with Angmar:

The Angmar War was a centuries-long struggle between the Northern Dúnedain kingdom, Elves and Hobbits of Eriador as well the Eótheód and the forces of Angmar, led by the Witch-king.

After the death of King Eärendur, the Kingdom of Arnor was split into three parts: Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur, each ruled by one of Eärendur's sons. There was often strife between the three kingdoms, usually over control of the Weather Hills and the palantír of Amon Sûl. During the reign of Malvegil of Arthedain (c. T.A. 1300), a new power arose beyond the Ettenmoors. This new realm of Angmar was ruled by the Witch-king, though it was not yet known that he was indeed the chief of the Ringwraiths. He filled his domain, which extended into the Upper Anduin Vale, with Orcs and other fell creatures, but also Men, most likely drawn from the local population of Hill-men. In Rhudaur, the Dúnedain there being few, a lord of the Hill-men seized power.

Argeleb I of Arthedain claimed the kingship of all Arnor, the line of Isildur having failed in Cardolan and Rhudaur. In Cardolan Argeleb was recognised as king, though it also kept its own princes. Rhudaur however resisted the claim, and openly allied with Angmar. Argeleb fortified the Weather Hills, but was killed in battle with Rhudaur and Angmar in T.A. 1356. His son Arveleg I received help from Cardolan and Lindon, and was able to drive the enemy back from the Weather Hills. After this the men of Arthedain and Cardolan held, for many years, a frontier along the Weather Hills, the East Road and the lower Hoarwell. During this period the Witch-king besieged Rivendell, but failed to take it.

In T.A. 1409, the Witch-king launched a massive assault upon Arnor, circling around the Dúnedain defences to invade Cardolan from the south. Causing huge destruction, the host of Angmar marched north to Amon Sûl. The great watchtower was taken and destroyed, although its palantír was saved and brought to Fornost. In the following time Arnor began to greatly diminish but the Witch-king was unable to press home his advantage because, at this point, the Elves unleashed their remaining strength upon Angmar. Elrond persuaded King Amroth to send a force of Galadhrim over the High Pass to Rivendell. Together with their kinsfolk of Lindon, they dealt such a blow to Angmar that it was left in a weakened state for centuries. Arnor, however, was unable to recover its former strength. Much of its territory was already deserted, prompting Argeleb II to grant The Shire to the Hobbits in T.A. 1601. Arnor was further weakened by the great plague.

The North-Kingdom nonetheless had peace for a time, but in the nineteenth century Angmar renewed its attacks. King Araval with Elves of Lindon and Rivendell won a battle in Cardolan (T.A. 1851 but was unable to reoccupy it; in the same year, Gondor was attacked by the Wainriders for the first time.In T.A. 1974 the Witch-king amassed his forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. The Witch-king attacked during the harsh winter weather and took Fornost. The remnants of the Arnorian forces fled west over the river Lune but Arvedui held out for a short time in the North Downs. He and a few surviving companions were eventually forced to flee to the abandoned mines of the northern Ered Luin. With their food running out, they sought refuge with the Lossoth of Forochel. Receiving word of the King's whereabouts, Cirdan sent a ship to the Icebay to rescue him. Against the advice of the Lossoth chieftain, Arvedui boarded the ship, which that night was wrecked by a storm from the North. Arvedui drowned, and with him were lost the palantíri of Fornost and Amon Sûl.

The Witch-king now sat on the throne in the king's palace, but it was not long before Eärnur arrived in much joy and wonder among Elves and Men. There were so many ships that the fleet filled Forlond, Harlond, and the Grey Havens; amazing the people of the North, even though this was but a small part of Gondor's strength. Círdan summoned the Noldor, Sindar and what remained of the Men of Arnor, then the allied host marched across the Lune to challenge the occupiers of Fornost.

The Witch-king, confident and proud after his recent victories, did not prepare for a siege, but sent his army out to face the Host of the West. The Men and Elves came down from the Hills of Evendim and engaged the forces of Angmar in the plains between Nenuial and Fornost. The Host of the West had the better of the fighting, and the Angmarim began to retreat back to Fornost. Suddenly, out of the north, came the main body of the Gondorian cavalry, which had passed around the Hills and outflanked the enemy. They fell upon the Angmarim and scattered them in a great rout. The Witch-king gathered what troops he could and tried to lead them back to Angmar but was overtaken by the cavalry of Gondor led by Prince Eärnur. At the same time a force of Elves led by Glorfindel came up from Rivendell and the remnants of Angmar's army were utterly destroyed. Near the end of the battle, the Witch-king attempted to slay Eärnur, but fled upon the appearance of Glorfindel. Angmar was obliterated and all its people west of the Mountains were killed or driven off, but the Witch-king himself fled east, to resurface in Mordor in T.A. 2002. Two years after the Battle of Fornost, Frumgar led the Éothéod into the northern Vales of Anduin, and drove away what remained of the people of Angmar on the east side of the Mountains, this being the final act of the conflict.

The destruction brought about by this final war left Arnor unable to function as a kingdom, and Arvedui's son Aranarth would be known as merely the Chieftain of the Dúnedain. Arthedain and Cardolan were both heavily depopulated while Rhudaur was deserted, its population having been killed or driven away at the end of the war. Later in the Third Age, Gandalf believed that Sauron wished to re-establish control over Angmar and the northern passes, but was unable to do so because of the Dwarves and the Men of Dale. Without them (according to Gandalf), there would have been war in Eriador again.


This Week's Question:
What are the hobbitish names of all 4 of the hobbits in the fellowship?


Winner is Ardelenia! He answered the question but added on a bit too much

Presented by: Arothir_Alamareo




You know us, we love sharing our progress and Twitter is the perfect place. Give us a good follow and always have something to look forward to on your daily scroll. Just to spice it up, comment your favorite parts of our builds at
MinecraftMiddleEarth (@MCMiddleEarth) | Twitter . You won't be disappointed!

Sometimes you just want to enjoy some quality pictures, we got you covered. Head on over to our Facebook account, try following us there too Minecraft Middle-Earth

But of course, the most important and obviously most used social network is of course Planet Minecraft! Be sure to give us a diamond there. It costs nothing! Minecraft Middle Earth Minecraft Server



Artist
Ahh yes. We all know the question. “How can I build?", As well as the responses “You can try a theme build” and “You can take part in jobs." The other answer is “Apply for Artist”, and the last option is by far the most exciting. Being able to build in your favorite places all the time. Sounds awesome. We can never have enough Artists, and with a wide range of current projects, there’s plenty for you to do!
Are you inspired to join MCME’s main build rank? You can apply for Artist/ today on the forums! The Managers, Designers and current Artists will work with you and help you on your journey.

Guide
Or perhaps, you’re not a builder. Well. That’s not a problem! Becoming A guide is obviously the better option anyway. As a Guide, you’re the forefront of MCME, and there’s no greater feeling than when someone says your tour was awesome. You don’t actually have to be a lore nerd either, you’ll pick up on lots really quickly.
When you join the Guides, you’ll be giving tours, running mini-games and testing players in lore quizzes, or if you prefer less “on the spot” stuff, Guidebooks are obviously your zen, or helping to tell MCME about MCME by writing up articles in the times. You’ll also plan help plan events such as The Summer Events and The Anniversary Events. We hope you join us soon, because us Guides really would love some more of us. What’re you waiting for?
Just click Guide and apply today!