While World of Warcraft gamers are celebrating its second expansion, the populace of Lord of the Rings Online can now enjoy their first. The doors of the Mines of Moria are now open and waiting for you.

Details after the link.

The latest updates to the Lord of the Rings Online included in Book 11 will be seeing some major changes in the game. Not only will the game get more lands to explore, but it will also see the debut of one of the books' most infamous creatures: the Balrog. If you remember, the Balrog is the great fiery creature that Gandalf battled in Moria.

The news sparked some controversy because the game will contain multiple Balrogs, which is against the common lore of Middle-Earth. Although players won't typically see a Balrog frolicking the lands, it still strikes a rather uneasy cord with some of the more loyal fans to have more than one running around, whipping every white wizard that comes along.

Jeffrey Steefel, executive producer of the Lord of the Rings Online, explains that the decision to introduce the Balrog wasn't made willy nilly, and they had the lore of Middle-Earth well in mind:

[...] This is not a linear story where there's this creature that you encounter at this location and this creature that you encounter at this location. Creatures are creatures in a world, they have a history, they have a genealogy, they exist not just in complete isolation. There were likely were more Balrogs in the world of Middle Earth, it's just that there's a very famous Balrog in Khazad-dûm (that you will still encounter someday) that will likely be even more impressive than the one you're encountering now.

So there you have it folks. If you're still a little heated about the whole thing, remember that Tolkien's own son Christopher himself hinted that there could be as much as seven Balrogs existing in Middle Earth.

Deep in the Halls of the Dwarf-Lords, far beneath the Lonely Mountain, travelers in the virtual world of Lord Of The Rings Online will encounter one of the great relics of Middle-Earth - the Throne of King Thorin II, also known as "Oakenshield." 150 years ago (TA 2845), Thorin became the last King Under The Mountain after the disappearance of his father, Thrain II.  He and his people were driven out by the dragon Smaug, but Thorin would eventually lead a company back to Erebor to reclaim his kingdom (with the assistance of a certain gifted burglar).

Although Thorin fell in the Battle of Five Armies, his throne - one of the greatest works of Durin's folk - still stands in Thorin's Great Hall, carved from the living rock. It is only one of the many discoveries awaiting LOTRO players as they adventure under the Blue Mountains.  Breath-taking examples of Khazad craftsmanship and artistry at every turn, all meticulously carved from the stone roots of the mountain, right down to the smallest details. The Dwarf-mansion of Ered Luin is a fine common space for adventurers and game-play, but it's a also a fine feast for the eyes.