Epic Quests

As you journey through Middle-earth, your character will have the opportunity to become a hero of Middle-earth as you aid both the Fellowship and the Free Peoples with what is called the "Epic" quest line. This story is interwoven with J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy, both working alongside it - in a story created specifically for The Lord of the Rings Online - and crossing-over into it at important or interesting moments.
At certain points in the story, there are so-called 'on-ramp' opportunities. These are questchains that do not require completion of previous epic quests, thus offering a way to customize your story experience. These 'on-ramp' opportunities are marked by the symbol: .
The story is at some points interrupted by short Interludes that usually showcase events taking place at a different time or place.
Volume I - The Legacy of Angmar
Depending on the choosen starter area you get a different starter experience. The choice can be made when you create your character. This can either be Before the Shadow or The Shadows of Angmar.
- Epic Introduction
- Learn whether you have what it takes to become a hero of your race.
The Lost Kingdom of Arnor
- Assist your homeland as dark forces threaten.
Before the Shadow
- This book guides you from Swanfleet towards Rivendell through Cardolan and the Lone-lands.
- Book I - The Doom of the Fallen City
- Book II - The Dread of Herne
- Book III - The Crossing of Sarn Ford
- Find out what transpired at Sarn Ford and search for the fallen ranger's instructions.
Shadows of Angmar
- This book guides you from Bree-land towards Rivendell through the Lone-lands and the North Downs.
- Book I - Stirrings in the Darkness
- Help the Rangers protect Bree-land, as one of their own is turned against them.
- Book II - The Red Maid
- Assist Radagast the Brown in the Lone-lands.
- Book III - The Council of the North
- Aid Men, Elves and Dwarves in the North Downs so they can gather for a council.
Evils of the North
From here the two starter experiences tie into eachother.
- Book IV - Chasing Shadows
- Search for the missing Black Rider in the Trollshaws with the help of the sons of Elrond, then assist Legolas in finding the source of the uncovered evil.
- Book V - The Last Refuge
- Venture into the Misty Mountains and search for Skorgrím and the Black Rider with the assistance of Gloin and Gimli.
- Book VI - The Fires in the North
- Uncover the secrets of Angmar's dreaded Watching Stones with the help of a Ranger in Aughaire.
Note: Completing this book will allow you to pass through Rammas Deluon [0.6S, 29.8W] without being instantly defeated.
- Uncover the secrets of Angmar's dreaded Watching Stones with the help of a Ranger in Aughaire.
- Book VII - The Hidden Hope
- Find the hidden Ranger refuge in northern Angmar and assist them in rescuing Golodir.
Note: Completing this book will get you the key to the gates of Carn Dûm (Instance).
- Find the hidden Ranger refuge in northern Angmar and assist them in rescuing Golodir.
- Book VIII - The Scourge of the North
- Rekindle Golodir's hope and help him in an attempt to defeat Mordirith, the steward of Angmar in Carn Dûm.
- Book IX - The Shores of Evendim
- Uncover more about the mysterious Sara Oakheart while venturing to Barad Gúlaran.
The Search for Narchuil
- Book XI - Prisoner of the Free Peoples
- Explore Tâl Bruinen in the Trollshaws while searching for Narchuil, the ring of Amarthiel.
- Book XIII - Doom of the Last-king
- Attempt to locate the missing half of Narchuil in the frozen wastes of Forochel.
- Book XIV - The Ring-forges of Eregion
- Assist and then pursue Laerdan as he tries to rescue his daughter.
- Book XV - Daughter of Strife
- Help Narmeleth to prove her purification and to defeat Mordirith and Mordrambor once and for all.
Volume II - Mines of Moria
Into the depths of the World
- Prologue
- Assist the Fellowship as they prepare to leave Rivendell in their quest to destroy the One Ring.
- Book I - The Walls of Moria
- Book II - Echoes in the Dark
- Help the Iron Garrison expedition establish a first foothold within Moria.
- Book III - The Lord of Moria
- The dwarves are determined to retake their halls, perhaps too eagerly. They need your assistance.
- Book IV - Fire and Water
- The orcs strike back.
- Book V - Drums in the Deep
- Some force has allied itself with the orcs of Moria. Discover who/what it is.
- Book VI - The Shadowy Abyss
- You have made your way through Moria. The dwarves seek aid from Lothlórien and Galadriel.
The Influence of Dol Guldur
- Book VII - The Leaves of Lórien
- Reunite with the Fellowship of the Ring and help forge an alliance between the Dwarves of Khâzad-dûm and the Elves of Lothlórien.
- Book VIII - Scourge of Khazad-dûm
- Return to Moria to thwart the evil influence of Dol Guldur.
- Book IX - Fortress of the Nazgul
- Join the Malledhrim as they prepare to assault Dol Guldur, the fortress of the Nazgul.
- Epilogue - Of Elves and Dwarves
- Many loose ends remain after the assault on the tower of Dol Guldur.
Volume III - Allies of the King
The Journey South
- Prologue
- Answer the call of Elrond Halfelven.
- Book IV - Rise of Isengard
- Travel to Dunland, and uncover the influence of Saruman the Many-Coloured there. Aid the Grey Company in halting Saruman's advances, ally or do battle with the tribal Dunlendings, and tread the valley of Nan Curunír; where the enemy fortress of Isengard looms.
- Book V - The Prince of Rohan
- The time has come to part ways with the Grey Company, who must soon begin the next leg of their journey. Your aid, however, is required at the Fords of the Isen: where Prince Théodred of the Mark is preparing to do battle against Saruman's forces to secure the Gap of Rohan.
A Journey renewed
- Book VI - Mists of Anduin
- Seek the wisdom of the Lady Galadriel after experiencing troubling dreams, witness the return of Gandalf, now the White, and ride South past the Great River... towards Rohan.
- Book VII - A Fellowship Endangered
- The Fellowship of the Ring is in peril. At Galadriel's behest, you must lead a fellowship of your own to discover their fate.
- Book VIII - Into the Riddermark
- You must pursue the Uruk-hai (and the Fellowship they endanger) across the plains of Rohan. To do that, you're going to need a better horse...
- Book IX - The Third Marshal
- Ride with Éomer, the Third Marshal, to learn what became of the Uruk-hai, and what is to come for Rohan.
- Book X - Snows of Wildermore
- Investigate why contact has been lost with the region of Wildermore.
The Battle of Helm's Deep
- Book XI - The Golden Hall
- Witness the return of Théoden King and help prepare his people for war against the White Hand.
- Book XII - War in the Westemnet
- Aid the people of West Rohan as the forces of Saruman ravage the land and treachery is found in unlikely places.
- Book XIII - Helm's Deep
- Join the Rohirrim for their final stand at the fortress of the Hornburg, where the fate of Rohan will be decided.
- Book XIV - The Waters of Isengard
Volume IV - The Strength of Sauron
The Tragedy of Gondor
- Book I - The Road to Gondor
- Travel south into the kingdom of Gondor and to the great city of Dol Amroth.
- Book II - The Dawnless Day
- Travel into Central Gondor and aid Aragorn in the retaking of Pelargir.
- Book III - Voices of the Past
- Aid Aragorn and the people of Eastern Gondor in preparation for the battle in Osgiliath.
- Book IV - Siege of the White City
- Defend the city of Minas Tirith against the besieging armies of Mordor.
- Book V - The Ride of the Rohirrim
- Aid the armies of Rohan and help them find a safe road to Minas Tirith in time to defend their allies against the ravening hordes of Mordor.
- Book VI - The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
- Take part in the final defence of Minas Tirith as the Witch-king of Angmar descends upon the field and many fates are decided.
The Return of the King
- Book VII - The Trap
- Escort Aragorn and the Host of the West into North Ithilien beneath the ever-watchful Eye of Sauron as you march toward the Black Land of Mordor, where the shadows lie.
- Book VIII - The Black Gate
- Experience the Host of the West’s climactic confrontation with Sauron’s forces at the Battle of the Black Gate, as Aragorn seeks to draw Sauron’s Eye away from his true peril.
- Book IX - The Ring Of Power
- Witness the fate of the One Ring and Sauron! The Epic quest line reaches a major milestone, and remains free to all players.
Volume V - The Peace of Middle-earth
The Black Book of Mordor
Into the Fires
- Chapter 1 - Where the Shadows Lie
- Chapter 2 - The Light of Eärendil
- Uncover the mystery of a tainted artifact stolen from the dungeons of Durthang.
- Chapter 3 - The Gúrzyul
- In Sauron's wake, his lieutenants vie for power over the Plateau of Gorgoroth.
- Chapter 4 - Union of Evil
- Stop Lhaereth the Stained from uniting the forces of Darkness in Mordor.
- Chapter 5 - Legacy of the Necromancer
- Aid the Elves of Lothlórien and Mirkwood in their assault on Dol Guldur.
The Legacy of Vóin
- Chapter 6 - Wood, Lake, Mountain, and Stone
- Chase the Weeping Warrior as he makes his way to the Strongholds of the North.
- Chapter 7 - The Tales of Khîl
- Chapter 8 - A Land of Dragons
- Aid Durin, son of Thorin III, in his quest for glory in the Grey Mountains.
- Chapter 10 - Aiding the Wilderfolk
- Aid the Beornings and the Wilderfolk in the Vales of Anduin.
The Secrets of Mordor
- Interlude: Shades in the Swamp - The Maiden's Trial
- Investigate the darkness disturbing the sleep of the shades in the Gladden fields.
- Chapter 11 - A Window on the Past
- Listen to the tales of Mordor and the Siege of Barad-dûr during the War of the Last Alliance.
- Chapter 12 - The Siege of Barad-dûr
- Learn of the breaking of the Siege of Barad-dûr and the downfall of Sauron at the end of the Second Age.
- Chapter 13 - The Vale of Sorcery
- Join Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, and his Rangers as they move into the Morgul Vale, still occupied by the remnants of Sauron's armies.
- Chapter 14 - The Renewal of Minas Ithil
- Enter the once-beautiful city of Minas Morgul and confront an old enemy at last.
- Epilogue
- There are a few last secrets to be dug from shades and the Black Book of Mordor...
The Legacy of Durin and the Trials of the Dwarves
Assembling an Army
- Chapter 1 - An Echo in the Mountains
- Try to keep the peace in Skarháld, where the Longbeards, Zhélruka, and Stout-axes are living in close quarters.
- Chapter 2 - Inspecting the Wells
- Travel south into the Wells of Langflood to take a measure of the orkish presence near Skarháld.
- Chapter 3 - Closing in on Gundabad
- March with the Gabil'akkâ, the Unified Army of Dwarves, into Elderslade and gather the strength to assault Gundabad.
- Chapter 4 - A First Confrontation
- The War of Three Peaks begins. Assault the gates of Gundabad and challenge Gorgar the Ruthless.
- Interlude: Blood of Azog - Assaulting Khazad-Dûm
- Study the history of the last great war between dwarves and orcs as recorded by Hermáth Stormhammer.
Inside the Mountainhold
- Chapter 5 - The Mighty Court of Máttugard
- Enter Gundabad and seize control of the court of Máttugard.
- Chapter 6 - The Sculptors Apprentice
- Look after Eskil Bloodthumb, apprentice of sculptor Stáli the Hewer.
- Chapter 7 - Into the North
- Journey into the Pit of Stonejaws and Câr Bronach to deal with the Angmarim presence.
- Chapter 8 - The Secrets of Durthuzâram
- Discover the birthplace of the dwarves and the beautiful valley of Clovengap.
- Chapter 9 - A Traitors Deal
- Help Durin get the information he needs.
- Chapter 10 - Rebelling Dwarves
- Learn of the presence that has been watching you in Gundabad.
- Chapter 11 - The Last Dwarrowmoot
- Ready yourself for the final confrontation of Gundabad.
- Epilogue
- Say goodbye to Mount Gundabad and Prince Durin.
- Interlude: Angmar Reborn - The Stone of Rhudaur
The Song of Waves and Wind
The Renewal of Gondor
- Chapter 1 - The Heirs of Castamir
- Search for clues about what transpired between Umbar and Balakhôr and inform King Elessar what threat is waiting just outside of Gondor.
- Chapter 2 - Of Dwarves and Swans
- Follow King Elessar to Furukzahar and Dol Amroth in order to begin the rebuilding process of Gondor.
- Chapter 3 - The Lands of Langstrand
- Travel to the outskirts of Gondor to bring the people of Anfalas word of their late Lord Golasgil.
- Chapter 4 - Knight of the Green Hills
- Continue north to the Green Hills of the Pinnath Gelin where the King must make an important decision.
Rise of the Kindred of the Coins
- Chapter 5 - The Voyage of the Wave-hunter
- Journey to the South-lands with a crew of trusted companions for a daring rescue mission.
- Chapter 6 - The City of Corsairs
- Make your way towards the mighty port-city of Umbar Baharbêl where many dangers await.
- Chapter 7 - Every River Leads to the Sea
- Infiltate the Citadel of Winds in order to free the hostages taken by the Kindred of the Coins
Lore
- The overall plan for the Epic Story in LOTRO reads a bit like a “Most Exciting Places to Visit!” travelogue for Middle-earth. Consider:
- Volume I (Levels 5 till 50)
- This volume lets you explore the town of Bree, the fallen city of Tharbad, the Last Homely House in Rivendell, the evil city of Carn Dûm in Angmar, the ruins of Annúminas on Lake Evendim, the ring-forges of Eregion. Help the Rangers of the North deal with the evils of Angmar so that the Fellowship can set out on their journey without having a dangerous enemy at their back.
- Volume II (Levels 50 till 65)
- This story continues to the dwarf-kingdom of Moria; the golden city of Caras Galadhon in Lothlórien; Sauron’s fortress of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. See to it that the dwarves can safely recover Khazad-dûm and that the evil of Dol Guldur is contained within its walls.
- Volume III (Levels 65 till 95)
- The next volume makes you explore Isengard, see the rolling plains of Rohan, and marvel at one of the greatest man-made (as opposed to dwarf-, hobbit- or elf-made) fortresses ever built, Helm's Deep! Help free the king and find the Fellowship while they make their way south.
- Volume IV (Levels 95 till 105)
- The fourth volume begins your journey through many places within Western Gondor to get to Dol Amroth. You will aid the people of Central Gondor and find the grand city of Osgiliath in ruins. Help Eastern Gondor against the forces of Minas Morgul and see the city of Minas Tirith. March towards the Black Gate and towards Mordor to witness the end of the Third Age.
- Volume V (Levels 20+)
- The Black Book of Mordor (Levels 105 till 130)
- The Black Book is the storyline which narrates the way through the unexplored territory of Mordor, while the Epic Quest line continues to trace the activities of the Fellowship of the Ring. Something as evil as Sauron doesn’t just go away and everything is fine. Mordor is a tremendous pit of evil and players are going to have to deal with the things that remain. The Fellowship is no longer the focus, "The Black Book of Mordor" deals with what happens AFTER the Ring is gone. Who/what are left after Sauron and the Nazgûl are gone? A number of Dark Personages are now rising in power. What is driving the Darkness? Players must determine who/what is filling that vacuum and prevent it from seeping out into the rest of Middle-earth.
- The Legacy of Durin and the Trials of the Dwarves (Levels 130 till 140)
- The Legacy further explores events after the War of the Ring. Durin, son of King Thorin III Stonehelm of the Longbeards, has set his sights on the reclamation of Mount Gundabad, occupied by the orkish forces of Gorgar the Ruthless. Help the young prince in his trials to conquer Gundabad from the orcs and dragons and learn of the ancient history of the Dwarves.
- The Song of Waves and Wind (Level 140 till 150+)
- Learn about what transpired in Umbar between the Kindred of Coins and the Heirs of Castamir.
- And that is not all! There will be more places to see in the future!
Deed Involvement
- After completing book 1 to book 8 of Volume I: A Light from the Shadow
- After completing book 9 to book 15 of Volume I: Bearer of Hope
- After completing book 1 to book 6 of Volume II: Avenger of Khazad-dûm
- After completing book 7 to book 9 of Volume II: Stalwart against the Shadow
- After completing book 1 to book 14 of Volume III: Friend to the Heir of Isildur
Credits
- Volume III Book 4 Quest Notes By: Jeff ‘MadeOfLions’ Libby.