Lord of the Rings Online players gather in-game to mourn the loss of Bilbo Baggins actor Ian Holm
Farewell to Middle-earth at last. I see the Star above your mast!
Lord of the Rings Online players gathered in-game yesterday to mourn the loss of Bilbo Baggins actor Ian Holm.
Hundreds of players across various servers held events to mark the death of Sir Ian Holm, who passed away this week aged 88.
The image, below, shows players on the Evernight server gathering around the MMO's Bilbo Baggins NPC, who resides in the Hall of Fire, in the northern wing at the ground floor of the Last Homely House in Rivendell Valley. According to redditor Ch_Mell, "300 people gathered and walked to Rivendell on a moment's notice."
Paying homage to Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins) - forever in our childhood memories... r.i.p. from r/lotro
The video below shows players on the Laurelin server pay their respects in a touching tribute. The players marched towards the Shire, let off fireworks and sat down to listen to a Dwarven minstrel play a song.
Players report similar tributes across the game's various servers. Redditor RoadrageWorker said players on Belegaer "gathered in front of Bag End, and to Lobelia's dislike, had a big firework. There was music and mourning, and we all wished Ian godspeed on this last of journeys".
Lord of the Rings Online developer Standing Stone Games acknowledged the community's actions by enabling the Baggins' Birthday quest until 23rd July, and extending the Spring Festival event until 29th July.