Paths of the Dead

The main chamber under the Haunted Mountain is very dark.

Paths of the Dead
Region:	Western Gondor
Landmark(s):	Kêr Izel Kêr Bras The Shadow-watch Lenn Dûskud
Connecting Area(s):	Kingstead Blackroot Vale
Levels:	Mainly 95-100
Resource tier:	Westemnet

Description

The Paths of the Dead is a haunted passage under Dwimorberg, the Haunted Mountain, in the White Mountains connecting West Rohan to Western Gondor.

Northern entrance to the Paths of the Dead

The northern entrance, the Dark Door, is located near Dunharrow and the Dimholt in Kingstead ^{[73.4S, 69.5W]}.

• In Kingstead, Horn wants to visit the Dark Door in Chapter 2: Too Near to Dunharrow

The southern entrance is located near Morlad in the Blackroot Vale near the Stone of Erech ^{[52.9S, 66.6W]}.

Southern entrance to the Paths of the Dead

• We first enter The Paths of the Dead in the Epic Quest line with Volume IV. Book 1, Chapter 2: The Ruthless Dead

Once Book 1, Chapter 2: The Ruthless Dead has been completed, the passage can be navigated in either direction.

Lore

Men under the Mountain

In the second age, Wild men inhabited the valleys of the mountains. They had been servants of Sauron but swore allegiance to Isildur. With the fall of Garth Lotheg, Isildur summoned the Men of the Mountain to Erech to fulfil their oath.

But the Men of the Mountains refused to fulfil their oath. They had worshiped Sauron in the Dark Years and thought they would be rewarded.

Then Isildur cursed them:

Isildur says, "Death is too good for you, Rioc."

Isildur says, "You will be the last king of your people."

Isildur says, This curse I lay upon you and all your folk: never to rest until your oath be fulfilled."

Isildur says, "You will not know the restful sleep of death."

Isildur says, "You will not know a day without the regret of your broken oath!"

Isildur says, "This war will last for uncounted years, and you will be summoned again before its end."

Isildur says, "Now GO! Leave this place! My words will follow you for your restless eternity!"

They fled before him, his curse echoing in their ears.

They fled to their homes in the mountains, but they could never escape Isildur's curse.

They haunt the Paths of the Dead ever since, and are now known as the Men under the Mountain.

Candaith: 'The Men of the Mountain sought to escape their curse, but no word of man relates what became of them in the years since. It is said a shadow lies now in Erech, where they broke their oath, and none now take the Dimholt Road that ran through their gates and into their mountain home.

'The Rohirrim name that peak Dwimorberg, Haunted Mountain, and the passages beneath are known now as the Paths of the Dead. None would take that road, but Elrond bid his sons remember it, and that leads me to worry. I know it lies heavily upon Halbarad's mind.

Volume III: Book 3: Echoes of the Dead: Chapter 2: At the Stone of Erech

Translations

Kêr Izel is Breton for 'low city/fort'.

Kêr Bras is Breton for 'large city/fort'.

Lenn is Breton for 'lake/pool'.

By Ceredig

• https://forums-old.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?593767-The-meaning-of-Dûskud-in-the-Paths-of-the-Dead

Locations

• Kêr Izel ^{[44.8S, 75.9W]}

• Lenn Dûskud ^{[45.5S, 75.4W]}

• Kêr Bras ^{[44.8S, 76.3W]}

• The Shadow-watch ^{[44.1S, 75.0W]}

Deeds

• Paths of the Dead (Deed)

Quests

Quest giver - Court of the Fount - Golusel ^{[75.2S, 71.5W]}

• [100] Kêr Izel - Lenn Dûskud
• [100] Kêr Izel - The Shadow-watch
• [100] Kêr Izel - Fallen but not Forgotten
• [100] Kêr Izel - The Rutheless Dead

Quest giver - Court of the Fount - Avordur ^{[75.2S, 71.5W]}

• [100] Kêr Bras - A Message of Courage
• [100] Kêr Bras - The Ruthless Dead
• [100] Kêr Bras - The Fallen
• [100] Kêr Bras - Bloom of Decay

Map

Settlements and Landmarks of Paths of the Dead
Settlements:	None	Settlements:
Landmarks:	Kêr Izel • Kêr Bras • The Shadow-watch • Lenn Dûskud	Landmarks: