Quest:Book 3, Chapter 2: The Body in the Brush

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Book 3, Chapter 2: The Body in the Brush
Level 23
Type Solo
Starts with Meneldir
Starts at Ruddymore
Start Region Cardolan
Map Ref [46.0S, 47.8W]
Ends with Halbarad
Ends at Sarn Ford
End Region Cardolan
Map Ref [48.1S, 55.7W]
Quest Group Before the Shadow, Book 3
Quest Text

Bestowal dialogue

'I don't understand it! We are still some days' travel from the camp where Narndir made his home, studying the ruins of Cardolan. He was always writing in that journal of his, documenting the details of artifacts and architecture he found worthy of note. We used to gather pigments together, he and I, as children in the Angle, for even then he exhausted such quantities of ink that he was always running out. Narndir...'

Meneldir clenches his hands into fists.

'Can I ask you to examine his body, <name>? I cannot bring myself to do it, but we must know the manner of his death.'

Background

The body of a slain Ranger has revealed that something terrible has happened to the Dúnedain in Cardolan.

Objective 1

The body of Narndir lies off the road in Cardolan. What happened to this friend of Meneldir?

Corpse of Narndir: It is apparent that Narndir has been dead for a number of days. He suffered several sword-strokes to the back, and from impressions in the dirt around his body it appears he was ridden down by someone on horseback as he fled.

Objective 2

Meneldir stands by the body of his slain friend, filled with grief, anger, and confusion.

Meneldir: 'I don't understand it. Narndir should not have been here at all, <name>. What brought him so far form his usual dwelling-place, and who would intend to harm him at all? Furthermore, he was no coward... to what foe would he turn his back?'
Nearly without pause, Meneldir answers his own question.
'Aye, <name>, we know the answer already: the creeping shadows Aberthol saw that night in Herne, one of which sat astride a great black horse. I named the creatures, once, and now I do so again: Nazgûl. Such a foe would inspire fear in even the stoutest of the Dúnedain, and such a foe might even ride down a fleeing man to slay him with a sword-stroke to the back. It would be as nothing to such a creature.
'Sarn Ford is to the west of here, and it seems that might be the site from which Narndir fled. There have at times been a few Rangers at the ford there, though never in great number. I think we should divert our course to Sarn Ford and learn what might have befallen its defenders.'

Objective 3

  • Travel to Sarn Ford and learn what transpired there

What happened at the river-crossing of Sarn Ford to result in the death of Narndir, so far from his usual dwelling-place?

Meneldir: Meneldir says a few quiet words by the body of his friend, and you give him the courtesy of not listening to them.
There are signs of recent battle at Sarn Ford

Objective 4

The Ranger Halbarad shouts commands to his kin at Sarn Ford.

Halbarad: 'I have not met you before, <race>, but if you are a friend to the Rangers of the North, you are welcome here, though we are sorely-pressed.
'But I do know you companion, and I am surprised he has returned to show his face in these lands.'