Once again we are starting a very special Fellowship that will undertake one of the most epic journeys of virtual Middle-Earth.
We were able to reach our $5,000 goal last year and are hoping to meet the same goal for 2011.
The Fellowship Walk is an online fundraising event for Child’s Play Charity, an organization providing toys and games to sick kids in hospitals.
On the traces of Frodo and his friends, our team of writers will walk from Bag End up to Rivendell, and maybe beyon. For every donation made to Child’s Play, our Fellowship will take one step further towards the healing house of Elrond.
Join us in our journey, donate now and help us make it to Rivendell!
Event Details
CSTM will be conducting a virtual walk inside the online game The Lord of the Rings Online. The goal is to walk from the in-game location of Bag-End all the way to Rivendell following the path of Frodo and his fellowship from the stories written by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The event will take place from September 23rd, 2011 (the departure date of the original fellowship) until October 24th, 2011 (when Frodo woke up in Imladris).
Every donation we receive will help move the fellowship forward on the same path as Frodo. We have developed a goal chart that will determine how the donations relate to the distance in game.
| Location | Goal | Date Reached |
| Departure at Bag End | $0 | September 23 |
| Hobbiton | $100 | September 23 |
| Frodo’s House in Crickhollow | $500 | September 23 |
| Tom Bombadil’s House | $1,000 | September 24 |
| The Great Spire in Barrow Downs | $1,500 | September 24 |
| Bree, The Prancing Pony | $2,000 | September 28 |
| Forsaken Inn, Lonelands | $2,500 | September 30 |
| Weathertop | $3,000 | October 5 |
| Last Bridge, Lonelands | $3,500 | October 8 |
| Bilbo’s Trolls, Trollshaws | $4,000 | October 15 |
| Bruinen River, Trollshaws | $4,500 | October, 18 |
| Rivendell, Last Homely House | $5,000 | October, 19 |
100% of the donations will be given directly to Child’s Play; CSTM is not retaining any of the donations collected.
Walk With Us!
Once a goal from the chart has been reached the CSTM staff will host a virtual walk in game from one location to the new goal location.
This walk will be hosted on the Landroval server and the community will be encouraged to log in and join us on our walk across Middle-earth.
Notification of the online walks will be done primarily through CSTM’s twitter and facebook.
See screenshots of the community walking with us during last year’s event.
Fellowship Walk 2011 phot
os can be found in our Flickr set!
There will be a weekly progress post created to show the Fellowship’s current location in game.
Giveaways & Events
Win a R.A.T. 7 Gaming Mouse or Tritton Headset
Donate $20 to the Fellowship Walk during the fundraiser event and you are entered to win one of four (4) prizes generously donated by Mad Catz!
Details on this giveaway can be found here.
Win "The Hobbit" Themed Pint Glasses
There are four ways to enter to win these excellent pint glasses etched with the name of some of Middle-earth’s most famous pubs. Only donations received during this week of the giveaway will count as entries for these prizes. Contest ends October 13, 2011.
Details on this giveaway can be found here.
Get Us Out of the Lone-Lands Party
Join us Saturday, October 15th at 4pm Eastern (-4 GMT) for a big in-game party hosted by the Lonely Mountain Band kinship on the Landroval server! Our goal is to celebrate with the community the accomplishments already reached for the Fellowship Walk and to hopefully make it to our $4,000 goal so we can march out of the Lone-lands.
Attendees of the in-game party on Landroval are also eligible to win music from the amazing Karen Altman, aka Ghingeriel from the Hobbiton Philharmonic!
Details on this party and the giveaway can be found here.
Turbine Point Giveaway
Moryel of Silverload has donated two 2,500 Turbine Points codes to anyone who donates to the Fellowship Walk from 10pm on October 18th until midnight on Friday October 21st!
Details on this giveaway can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please visit the FAQs for more information on the Fellowship’s Walk.
For any other question, please write to charity@casualstrolltomordor.com.
About Child’s Play
Child’s Play is a charity nurtured by the gaming community since 2003. Its mission is to donate games, movies and toys to sick kids in children’s hospitals.
So far, over 7 million dollars worth of toys has been distributed through Child’s Play, helping children around the world go through hard times.
We appreciate your support for this worthy charity helping sick Baby Hobbits all over the world!
Loading ...
September 21, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Assuming there will be a live stream? That would bring more money.
September 21, 2011 at 3:56 pm
We do hope to have a live stream of in-game events for folks who can’t attend them live.
September 22, 2011 at 3:40 am
Sweet. Thinking about rolling a character, but not sure. Good to have a stream as back-up.
Are the donations only durring this time or year round? I can start adding a little advertisement of it at the end of any lotro videos I make.
September 23, 2011 at 5:28 pm
I think the company does take donations year round, I don’t know though. But for CSTM they have a yearly event.
September 23, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Yes they do take donations year round
September 21, 2011 at 4:03 pm
I’m thrilled about the quantity of events taking place at Landroval only. So if I want to join you I have to make a new character on that server? And will I be “alone” or is it a way to, at least, send some decent clothes for the walking? I would love to participate!
September 21, 2011 at 4:08 pm
That’s correct. If you would like to participate in any of the walks, just make a character on Landroval. You’ll have to finish the intro instance (level 5-7ish) before you’ll be out in the real world and can join us. Each walk event will be announced on twitter and facebook with the time and starting point.
I will do the best to help get you some clothes or at least give you some spare change to visit an outfitter! I should have commissioned a Landroval tailor to make us outfits
September 21, 2011 at 4:24 pm
What time (clock time) would this event start ?
September 21, 2011 at 4:38 pm
The dates for the walks to take place will depend on when we reach the goals!
This Friday at 9:30pm Eastern we will be walking from Bag End to Hobbiton as we’ve already reached the $100 goal.
When the donation bar reaches the $500 mark we will schedule a walk from Hobbiton to Crickhollow, etc. If enough donations are received to get us to a couple locations, we will do it all in one walk.
There will be plenty of walks for the next month. Hopefully you can catch one!
September 23, 2011 at 4:08 am
Is it always at that time? It’s just that 9:30pm for us in Europe is 3:30am and it can be tricky to participate (and I’d love to!)
September 23, 2011 at 6:31 am
We will do our best to mix it up but know that we have full time jobs and a 2 year old we are also responsible for. We have to conduct the walk when our life allows! I’m sorry it’s so late for you and we will do our best to see if we can do some weekend walks as well.
September 22, 2011 at 6:54 pm
I did it!!! Menta will be my fellow in Landroval
Nice to see you all!
September 22, 2011 at 9:19 pm
My Landroval Moryel will be there with bells on.
September 21, 2011 at 5:32 pm
I’m not using Paypal anymore, is there another way to donate?
September 21, 2011 at 5:43 pm
You can use a credit card! Just choose this payment option on the left column on the ChipIn page.
September 21, 2011 at 5:47 pm
When I click on the ChipIn button, I get redirected straight to Paypal. (I’m in Europe, maybe a regional thing?) And I don’t want to do any business with that company, sorry.
I’ll see if I can donate directly to Child’s Play, though.
September 21, 2011 at 9:47 pm
It’s true that it is a Paypal page! You only have the choice to use a Paypal account or not
September 21, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Below the paypal section there is a “Don’t have a paypal account” link that will allow you to pay via credit or debit card.
September 22, 2011 at 2:44 am
Which will still give Paypal some sort of transaction fee…
September 22, 2011 at 9:37 am
I have no other options that will allow us to track your donation unfortunately. I am using the system Child’s Play requested we use with Chip In and Paypal.
September 22, 2011 at 9:41 am
No problem, I can pick a hospital from the CP homepage and buy something from their Amazon wishlist. Would have loved to wave the CSTM banner a little, of course.
September 21, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I’m super exited to see this event being held once more by CSTM! It’s such a great event and it’s making me so proud to see how a community can rally around the flag for a good cause
September 21, 2011 at 7:26 pm
If you use an “e-check” via paypal do you have to wait the 3 days for it to clear before it will show up on chipin?
September 21, 2011 at 9:08 pm
I’m honestly not sure. Even so 3 days is no big deal.
September 26, 2011 at 11:12 pm
I guess weekends don’t count in paypal land. Donation finally showed up today.
September 21, 2011 at 7:59 pm
The Inklings gave this event a live mention last night on their podcast from the Bird and Baby. Is there a Twitter or Facebook link for this yet?
September 21, 2011 at 9:09 pm
There is a Facebook event but all communication will be through the normal CSTM twitter and such. It’s not a bad idea having a separate twitter though. I will have to consider that.
September 21, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Since we all know how much you love Moria. I would suggest a stretch goal thru Moria for some amounts over last uears goal. Imagine how many of us sadistic lotro player would like to see you walk from the west to east:)
September 21, 2011 at 11:37 pm
I’ve got a hobbit rolled on Landroval (via Weatherstock) and ready to go for events just like this, but my crippled CPU means gaming is ixnay until I can replace it. Still, I’m donating right now. It’s a great cause, and I love CSTM’s fundraising idea. Well done
September 22, 2011 at 1:00 am
The fellowship departed on my birthday ^_^
September 22, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Very cool idea indeed. As you know, we’re spreading the word on MMO Melting Pot – I hope you get all the way to Rivendell.
I take it we can expect screenshots or maybe even video after the event?
September 22, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Most definitely and thank you again for spreading the news!
September 22, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Awesome! I read up on all that happened last year and was wondering if you’d be doing it again. I’m afraid I won’t be able to donate anything, but first thing tomorrow I’ll join the walk.
Could you give me a time for when the fellowship will be leaving Friday?
September 22, 2011 at 11:15 pm
It will be Friday evening. 9:30pm Eastern time on Landroval.
September 22, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Well, I may be a little late in joining the walk. Usually I’m away from the house at that point, but I’ll try and join in before the night is gone.
Thanks!
September 23, 2011 at 5:39 pm
I forgot it was coming up so soon, maybe this year I can hopefully give. This is a great thing that they do and this fundraiser is a great idea.
September 23, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Great cause, and great event. Will you folks be doing a “Get Us Out of Bree!” party/event again this year? That was loads of fun last year (especially playing in it with the Eriador Music Society).
September 23, 2011 at 10:28 pm
We certainly do have plans although it’s location is still undetermined at this point.
September 25, 2011 at 1:50 am
The response has been amazing! At this rate we will be walking to Mirkwood!
October 2, 2011 at 12:14 am
I’ve started a toon on Landroval…Belwynne…just to participate. Of course, she’s a tailor!See you soon on the walk.
Would it be possible to update the website with the next walk time as well as facebook et al?
October 2, 2011 at 9:37 am
The only reason I don’t is because it would be the shortest smallest post ever. I guess it’s an extra bug of our charity drive annoyance for folks who come to CSTM just for information.
I am updating 3 posts on the forums (which you can subscribe to to get an email when updated) if that helps.
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?420602-The-Fellowship-Walk-for-Child-s-Play
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?420940-The-Fellowship-Walk-A-Child-s-Play-Event
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?420604-The-Fellowship-Walk-A-Child-s-Play-Event
As well as MyMiddle-Earth.net as well
http://mymiddle-earth.net/groups/a-casual-stroll-to-mordor/
October 16, 2011 at 10:32 am
The widget stopped working for me
Maybe it’s my browsers fault, but I can’t get it to update to a more current status. Is there something I can click on to get updated?
October 24, 2011 at 9:42 am
I keep having that problem randomly too… I wonder if it has something to do with network settings. At work it says like $400, at home it says the right amount.
I don’t know why that’d matter, but it’s all I can think of lol
October 24, 2011 at 10:03 am
As for my experience, I noticed it stopped working after I myself donated, which was twice. Both times it got stuck in the same amount for several days, suddenly started working again and it repeated after I used the ChipIn system the second time. Weird, but it got solved alone.