As summer ends and the leaves begin to change color in the real world, an exciting event will be welcoming autumn in Middle-earth. That's right, the Harvest Festival is back and will run until Oct. 12., so make sure to take some time out from slaying beasts to pick some pumpkins, bob for apples and relax with your friends in the Shire.

New screenshots for Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria , the game’s first expansion, were released today by Turbine , and they showcase a variety of creatures located in the “Foundations of Stone” area that are just waiting to be slaughtered by daring adventurers.

Turbine boasts that the expansion is "the largest and most dangerous online underground environment ever created," and these screenshots seem to attest to that fact. Eyeless beasts, giant spiders and blade-wielding monsters are shown in intricate detail in various caverns, giving a "survival horror" vibe to the area.

Check out all of the screenshots here and discuss them, along with the expansion, in our forums .

The development team for the Lord of the Rings Online has added another creature to their ongoing "Creatures/Characters of Middle-earth" series. Who gets the spotlight today? Bolgrukh!:

In ages past, Morgoth captured and bred many innocent creatures, twisting their natures to the purpose of striking fear into the hearts of his foes. Among these were the merrevail , fearsome beings that appear half woman and half bat.

You can read the entire write-up HERE , and HERE at the European website.

Today Turbine released a new batch of screenshots for The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria.  These new screens depict the Hollin Gate entrance to Moria.  Check them out!:

To view other official Lord of the Rings Online screenshots, head on over to the screenshot gallery at the official site.

We've been hearing about the new Lord of the Rings Online expansion, Mines of Moria, for months now. Finally, we get to take a look at the first video trailer! Check it out, after the jump.

WESTWOOD, MA - July 31, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. announced today its partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to distribute The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM: Mines of MoriaTM at retail in North America. As part of the announcement, Turbine unveiled its fall product lineup which includes two titles that will be available at retail, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition and The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector's Edition , as well as a digital only title for existing subscribers, The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion .

"We are excited to self publish The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria and to partner with Warner Bros. to distribute the title at retail this fall," said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. "Mines of Moria introduces breakthrough content and features including our Legendary Item system that will revolutionize the way players advance and customize their unique heroes."

Turbine has officially unveiled Book 14: Ring-forge of Eregion, an addition which delivers the finale to the epic story from Volume I and adds several new storytelling mechanics combined with live in-world events, as well as unlocks prelude events for the upcoming Mines of Moria expansion.

WESTWOOD, MA - July 23, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. announced the details of the sixth content update for subscribers to The Lord of the Rings OnlineTM: Shadows of AngmarTM. Book 14: Ring-forge of Eregion delivers the climax to the epic story from Volume I of The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO). The story takes center stage in Book 14 with several new storytelling mechanics combined with live in-world events that allow players to work together to be part of the rise and fall of Amarthiel at the Ring-forges of Eregion! This will unlock the prelude quests that will lead players to the Mines of MoriaTM, the first expansion pack to the 2007 PC MMO Game of the Year* scheduled to be released this fall. Book 14: Ring-forge of Eregion is now available to subscribers of The Lord of the Rings Online in North America and Europe.

"The Lord of the Rings Online is one of the only MMOs to successfully integrate story into game play," said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. "With Book 14 we continue to create new ways for players to experience the epic story in Middle-earth from the dramatic moments unfolding throughout the story to the new adventure instances that require players to work together across their server to unlock new content and advance the story. The live events planned in Book 14 will provide incredibly dynamic adventures for our players and set the tone for our journey this fall into the Mines of Moria."

Turbine has just released a new batch of screenshots for Book 14: The Ring-forges of Eregion , the next free content update for The Lord of the Rings Online.

The screenshots illustrate new and improved Minstrel animations as well as the continuation of the epic questline. Take a look:

Turbine has just released a batch of screenshots for Book 14: The Ring-forges of Eregion, the next free content update for The Lord of the Rings Online!

The screenshots illustrate The Ring Forges located in Eregion, a new region of which a portion will become available to you with the upcoming launch of Book 14.

We will have more news about Book 14: The Ring-forges of Eregion soon and will be sure to keep you updated!

Cachúnir is a High Elf who dwells in the House of Elrond in Rivendell. With the coming of the Shadow, he has felt the desire to leave the darkness behind and sail into the West but hesitates to do so.