North Downs
The North Downs are located between Bree-land, Evendim, and Angmar, at the northern end of the ancient North-South Road. For more than a thousand years no king has ruled from Fornost and the common people have stood caught between the somewhat noble age in the west and the accursed Angmar in the north-east.
Little is said about the North Downs but it has always been the realm of noble Men of Arnor. It is always mentioned as lesser than Evendim and as the darker contrast to Gondor, connected to the struggles with the nearby Angmar and its Witch-king.
The hidden fortress of Esteldín serves as the capital of the North Downs, being the headquarters of the Rangers under Halbarad's command, kinsman of Aragorn. Recently the town of Trestlebridge was under a fierce attack by grim orcs, but this turned out to be only a spur while the Enemy overran Fornost, Dol Dínen, and other long since unused ruins. Elves have always upheld a refuge in Lin Giliath and dwarves have mined silver in Othrikar, where we meet the legendary Gildor Inglorion and Dori respectively.
- Levels: 24-32
- Town: Esteldín — Crafting hall and services
- Faction: Rangers of Esteldín
- Introduced: The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, April 2007
- Quest Pack: Quest Pack:North Downs or Quest Pack:Eriador Bundle
History
Of the earliest history little is known but that in the first millennium of the Second Age many Númenóreans lived there; how many and how widespread is unknown. Arnor was founded by Elendil in II 3320 but the North Downs remained less important during this period. After many unfortunate centuries the 10th High King, Eärendur, died in III 861 and Arnor was torn in three by his sons.
Out of Arnor Arthedain was founded by Amlaith, the eldest son and he moved from Annúminas in Evendim and made Fornost the capital city; eventually the North Downs saw some glory. Six hundred years later the Witch-king attacked Fornost, after his victory in the Lone-lands, but failed. Yet again, five hundred years later (III 1974) his forces out of Angmar managed to capture Fornost, but only for a year until an army of Gondor defeated his numbers, but the Witch-king escaped.
At the capture of Fornost King Arvedui fled to Forochel but died in the ice masses. The North-kingdom ended and the North Downs was destitute and spent. However, out of the ruins the Rangers of the North was founded by Arvedui's eldest son, Aranarth, who became Chieftain of the Dúnedain. Today the North Downs hosts these Rangers at Esteldín, while Aragorn, their 16th Chieftain, follows a well known hobbit at a very secret quest in the east.
Locations
Towns
- Esteldín, the hidden refuge of the Rangers, skirmish camp, superior service and craft centres
- Trestlebridge, outfitter, vendors, provisions and craft-faire
Villages & Outposts
- Treasure Hunters' Camp, provisions
- Lin Giliath, provisions
- Othrikar, outfitter, provisions
Points of Interest
Instances
- Fornost
- Stoneheight
- Attack at Dawn - skirmish accessed thru the Instance Finder
Areas
Annúndir
- Camp Site Fire
- Quests: mainly 25 - 26, Instance: Stoneheight - Level 65+
Dol Dínen
- Quests: mainly 30 - Fellowship
Esteldín
- Stable-master, Milestone, Vault, Bard, , Mailbox, Reflecting Pool, Skirmish Camp, Tasks Bulletin Board, Healer, Provisioner, Class Trainers, armament vendors
- Craft-hall of Esteldín, Forge, Oven, Workbench, Camp-fires, and Expert trainers
- Crafting Guilds: Jeweller's, Tailor's, and Woodworker's Guild
- Factions: Rangers of Esteldín
- Quests: mainly 28 - 29
Fields of Fornost
- Treasure Hunters' Camp: Healer & Provisioner, Supplier
- Quests: mainly 24 - 26, also quests for Fornost
Fornost
Greenway
Kingsfell
- Camp: Ost Lagoros: Camp Site Fire
- Quests: mainly 26 - 29
Meluinen
- Village: Lin Giliath: Stable-master, Grocer, Lore-master Trainer, Tasks Bulletin Board
- Quests: mainly 28
Nan Amlug East
- Camp: Rusfold: Provisioner, Healer, quests
- Quests: mainly 29
Nan Amlug West
- Village: Othrikar: Stable-master, Outfitter, Mailbox, Tasks Bulletin Board, Grocer, Provisioner, Supplier, Camp-fire
- Quests: mainly 27 - 28
Nan Wathren
- Camp Site Fire
- Quests: mainly 25
Rhunenlad
- Camp Site Fire - Mustering Horn
- Quests: mainly 29 - 30
Taur Gonwaith
- Dungeon: Etten Caves
- Quests: mainly 28
Trestlebridge
- Stable-master, Milestone, Outfitter, Mailbox, Reflecting Pool, Healer, Grocer, Provisioner, armament vendors
- Crafting: Forge, Oven, Workbench, Supplier, and trainers
- Quests: mainly 24 - 25, also camp for the Wildwood
Connected To
Crafting
Craft-fairs: Craft-hall of Esteldín, Trestlebridge
Inside the Craft-hall of Esteldín:
Resource Tiers
- Journeyman Tier 2: Annúndir, Greenway
- Mass Resource Area: The North Downs in Nan Wathren for Barrow-iron Deposit, Silver Deposit and Ash Branches
- Expert: Dol Dínen, Fields of Fornost, Kingsfell, Meluinen, Nan Amlug East, Nan Amlug West, Nan Wathren, Rhunenlad, Taur Gonwaith
Named Creatures Shard Collectors List
Each of these creatures is the rare, signature, tougher, named version and all have a high chance to drop a rare shard used in crafting.
The North Downs : |
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The North Downs Named Creatures Ruby The North Downs Named Creatures Adamant |
Maps
Detailed Maps
Category Overview
List of everything in region:
Regions within the Land of Eriador
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Angmar • Bree-land • Cardolan • Dunland • Enedwaith • Ered Luin • Eregion • Ettenmoors • Evendim • Forochel • Gap of Rohan • Lone-lands • Misty Mountains • Nan Curunír • North Downs • Swanfleet • The Shire • Trollshaws |