Mysterious Relics

Description

This is a deed.

Deed Lore

Mysterious relics of unknown origin have appeared throughout Middle-earth, but for what purpose?

To complete this deed perform the following objective(s)

Find a mysterious relic somewhere within Middle-earth

A relic was placed in the middle of Bungo Grubb's Pipe-weed field. The plants all died, ending his chance for a first-place finish in the annual festival.

Find a mysterious relic somewhere within Middle-earth

A relic was placed outside the cottage in which Ted and Burt Farmer were dwelling, and the cottage was set aflame. They escaped with their lives, but could not understand who would do this to them, or whence the relic came.

Find a mysterious relic somewhere within Middle-earth

A relic was left before the sealed door in the depths of The Laenan Caves.

Return to Rivendell and Tell what Elrond what you've found.

You say an unusual relic has appeared in the depths of the Laenan caves, here in the Trollshaws? Most Interesting <name>. I regret I can tell you nothing about this relic that you have not seen for yourself; the type is familiar to me, but I do not know what it may mean.

I can tell you what lies beyond the sealed door in those caves, however. Long ago, when the kingdom of Rhudaur was at its height, evil Men worshipped dark powers at a temple in the wilderness. The route overland to the temple has not been taken in many years and is surely overgrown; I have dispatched scouts from time to time to search for it.

I believe that the sealed door leads underground to the temple, <name>. It is said some terrible thing befell the Men of Rhudaur within its walls. Let it remain sealed, for now. If this relic signals the return of that evil, we may need to take action; but for now, let the temple remain lost.

Find a mysterious relic somewhere within Middle-earth

A relic was left among the walls of the Ironspan that connects Forochel with the land of Angmar. The Lossoth believe it signals the return of The Witch-king.

Find a mysterious relic somewhere within Middle-earth

The relic was left among the slopes of Thrór's Coomb, and the creatures nearby, including the mighty gwiber, seemed hesitant to stray too near.

After you have found all five mysterious relics...

Talk to Barliman Butterbur at the Prancing Pony Inn

Barliman has not heard news of the relics, but he has promised to keep his ears open and will let you know if he does.

Well now, strange relics, you say? I have not heard much news on that score, but I will keep my ears open. The common room is busy most nights, and if talk turns to such things, I will note it down.

Hard times are ahead, if you ask me. Strange folk on the road, unpleasant news from distant parts...it's enough to make you wonder. You can't let it trouble you too much, that's what I've always said. There's just too much to be done! You'll stay calm, <name>, no matter what lies ahead? Ha! It's good advice! More could make do with some of that, if you ask me!

I'll let you know if I hear anything. I'll just write down a bit of a note to remind me. Anything else I can do for you, <name>? The Pony is at your service, of course...you just name what you want.

Rewards

<name>, Calm Before the Storm

Additional Information

You must locate each of the following Mysterious relics; this deed will start as soon as you examine one of the following Mysterious relics. Complete the quest that begins with the examination.

• 

  Oatbarton ^{[23.6S, 66.7W]}
  Quest: [20] Mysterious Relic in the Shire

• 

  William Peake's Farm ^{[10.9S, 50.4W]}
  Quest: [30] Mysterious Relic in the North Downs

• 

  Laenan ^{[24.8S, 17.7W]}
  Quest: [65] Mysterious Relic in the Trollshaws

• 

  The Ironspan ^{[16.9N, 59.5W]}
  Quest: [50] Mysterious Relic in Forochel

• 

  Thrór's Coomb ^{[67.2S, 8.3W]}
  Quest: [65] Mysterious Relic in Enedwaith

Extended Lore: The Rise of the Gaunt Lords

Ancient Evils

In the First Age, Morgoth summoned many fell spirits into his service and twisted countless creatures to his will. Among those were dire creatures called Gaunt-men. Morgoth gave the Gaunt-men mortal bodies in which to work his wickedness throughout Middle-earth. Men and Elves alike feared these creatures, for they had the power to instill other fell spirits into the remains of the dead and raise them as wights.

After Morgoth’s fall, the remaining Gaunt-men went into hiding in the realm that later became Angmar. Their power was greatly diminished, but when the Wizards arrived to lend wisdom to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth, the Witch-king summoned the Gaunt-men to his service. Among them, five gained greater power to match the five Wizards. These five, embodying death, pestilence, famine, war, and purest evil, became known as the Gaunt-lords.

The Gaunt-lords were created by the developers of Lotro using lore surrounding the coming of the Wizards and the physical manifestation of spirits. These creatures are among the most powerful of the Enemy’s servants.

Drugoth the Death-monger, DEATH (Minion of Shadow) - [50] Mysterious Relic in Forochel -

previously encountered: (Dragon-wing of Helegrod instance, Misty Mountains)

Ferndúr the Virulent, PESTILENCE (Minion of Plague) - Disease - [65] Mysterious Relic in the Trollshaws

previously encountered (Imlad Bachorth, Angmar))

Thadúr the Ravager, FAMINE (Minion of Misery) -[20] Mysterious Relic in the Shire

previously encountered: (in the Great Barrow - Thadúr instance -- you get the second half of the skull-key from him, Bree-land)

Ivar the Blood-hand, WAR (Minion of Battle) - [30] Mysterious Relic in the North Downs

previously encountered: (Garth Agarwen Barrows, Lone-lands)

Gortheron the Doom-caller, PUREST EVIL - [65] Mysterious Relic in Enedwaith

previously encountered: (in Lhe Colvarn in the Lich Bluffs, Enedwaith).

Reference: lorebook

Your involvement with these relics begins with a "A Strongly-Worded Letter from Bungo Grubb" of Oatbarton to Mayor Will Whitfoot in Michel Delving, Shire.

Or you may encounter the mysterious stones as you explore the worlds.