North Downs

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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.

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

Esteldín

Towns

Villages & Outposts

Points of Interest

Instances


Areas

Dol Dínen
Fields of Fornost
Kingsfell
Lin Giliath
Nan Amlug East
Othrikar
Trestlebridge

Annúndir

Dol Dínen

  • Quests: mainly 30 - Fellowship

Esteldín

Fields of Fornost

Fornost

Greenway

Greenway

Kingsfell

Meluinen

Nan Amlug East

Nan Amlug West

Nan Wathren

Rhunenlad

Taur Gonwaith

Trestlebridge


Connected To

Crafting

Craft-hall of Esteldín

Craft-fairs: Craft-hall of Esteldín, Trestlebridge
Inside the Craft-hall of Esteldín:

Resource Tiers


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.

Maps

Click for larger image North Downs topographic map

Detailed Maps

North Downs with Points of Interest POI North Downs Mass Resource Area North Downs Named Creatures North Downs Artifacts

Category Overview

List of everything in region:

Category The North Downs not found