Quest:Instance: Retake Weathertop

Instance: Retake Weathertop
Level	23
Type	Solo or Fellowship
Starts with	Candaith
Starts at	Candaith's Encampment
Start Region	Lone-lands
Map Ref	[30.1S, 37.9W]
Quest Group	Vol. I. Book 2
Reflecting Pool	Lone-lands Reflecting Pool

Quest Chain

Previous: Volume I, Book 1 Volume I, Book 2: The Red Maid [22] Foreword: Aiding the Order [22] Chapter 1: Rise of the Orcs [22] Chapter 2: An Orc Messenger [22] Preparing for the Future - Optional [22] Orc-thieves - Optional [22] Chapter 3: War-master Uzorr [22] Chapter 4: Light in the Darkness [23] Chapter 5: Retake Weathertop - Solo-only or Fellowship [23] Instance: Retake Weathertop - Solo-only or Fellowship [25] Chapter 6: Protected by the Eglain [27] Chapter 7: Radagast the Brown [27] Chapter 8: The Red Swamp [28] Chapter 9: The Bloated Dead [28] Chapter 10: Breeders of the Dead [29] Chapter 11: The Stone-Speaker [29] Chapter 12: A Dead Man's Challenge [30] Chapter 13: In the Gaunt-lord's Grasp [30] Chapter 14: History of the Red Maid [30] Chapter 15: The Red-pass - Solo-only or Fellowship [30] Instance: Red-pass - Solo-only or Fellowship [30] Chapter 16: Agamaur Secured Next: Volume I, Book 3

Walkthrough & Notes

Note: This quest is offered in both a fellowship and a solo-only version. Solo Version Note that even if the mobs in this quest are grey, they will aggro as if you are on-level. As you accompany Candaith up the mountain, he will direct you to pick up a torch and apply it to wood. Directly across the path from the torch he indicates is a pyramid of logs. When you are holding the torch, walk past the logs and rub up against them to create a bonfire. While you are carrying the torches, you will not be able to use your weapon; if you are hit enough by mobs you will drop the torch (and it will be lost). However, there are many more torches than you will need for the quest, and you can always pick up another one. Lighting a bonfire will attract mobs, even when you are out of aggro range. Therefore, the recommended procedure is to kill all mobs within aggro range of the logs BEFORE picking up a torch and lighting the bonfire to pull the rest. Lighting the bonfire will pull some of the remaining mobs but not all. Rely on a divide-and-conquor strategy. At a gate soon after directing you to pick up the torch, Candaith will leave, directing you to kill Bûb-hosh and Muz the Warg-Keeper. You will encounter Bûb-hosh at a dead end halfway up the mountain. After killing him, you will turn around and head farther up the mountain (there is a switchback at 31.6S, 36.4W). This path is blocked by a locked gate; to open it, light the bonfire there. This will aggro a couple of White Hand orcs, possibly including a fire-thrower. At this point the foes become slightly higher in level and there are wargs and fire-throwers in almost every group. Don't forget to kill before lighting bonfires or you may aggro too many mobs at once. Muz is at the top of the path, along with his pet Throk-goth and a couple of normal wargs. Once you have defeated Muz, continue along the path (don't fall off - it gets very narrow), killing mobs as you go, until you meet Candaith again near the peak of the mountain. Candaith is injured, and stays behind at the final gate, instructing you to find and kill the orc captain Rigûl. You will automatically received the Inspired Greatness buff at this point. Even if you stand at the gate out of aggro range, Rigûl and some orcs will attack. Kill the other orcs first, because when Rigûl's hit points get low, he will no longer be attackable, and will summon a handful more orcs. When you defeat those orcs, Rigûl will summon a Mountain-troll, and will become attackable again. When you have defeated the troll and Rigûl, Candaith will limp up the mountain and join you. The quest is finished, and you will return to camp with Candaith. The solo player will receive an Inspired Greatness effect during the final encounter. Fellowship Version First - a word about the torches. They can be useful. One person (a DPS class) should pick up a torch. You can "use" them by walking close to a pyramid of logs (looks like a unlit fire). This will cause the orcs to come running, opening previously un-openable gates in the process. The first boss you will encounter is Bûb-hosh. When he is down to extremely low heath, he will become un-attackable and retreat. At this point, the raid should kill all the other orcs before following him. He will be farther up the path, with another group of orcs. However, he is still extremely low on health, and can be brought down quickly. Still farther along the path, you will encounter the next boss, Muz. He is extremely weak, but he will summon an elite named warg, Throk-goth. The tank should stay in the center of the path (ignoring Muz), and get the attention of the warg when it is summoned. One or two DPSs should bring down Muz, while the rest of the raid brings down Throk-goth. You should then continue up the path. You will meet Candaith again, and continue to the top of the hill. Rigûl is in the center of the hill, with several other uruk-hai. They aren't too much of a danger, but, at about ¼ health, he will summon a huge, nasty, and dangerous Mountain-troll (6.6K morale). The tank should get its attention ASAP, and the minstrel should heal the tank. The rest should get to work on the few orcs in the area, then work on bringing down the troll. A rune-keeper comes in handy here. The troll may decide to wander off and attack a DPS, so the tank should run after him and get his attention again. When he is down, clean up any minions you missed before, then talk to Candaith. Instance complete!

Rewards
None for the instance, but for the main quest.

Quest Text

Retake Weathertop "Weathertop... once a watchtower of the Dúnedain, now a refuge for Orcs. Candaith the Ranger strives to break their foothold in the Weather Hills...." Background The Ranger Candaith has enlisted your aid in a quest to remove the threat of Orcs from the Weather Hills. Candaith believes that the presence of Orcs from the South upon Weathertop is a precursor to an invasion of Eriador. Objective 1 Speak with Candaith You have arrived at the foot of Weathertop to discover that Orcs from the South have made their way to the crest. Candaith awaits your assistance in driving the war-band from the ruins of Amon Sûl. Candaith: 'We must make haste, <name>. We have the leaders of these Uruk-hai cornered like rats upon the slopes of Weathertop. If we can defeat them, we may yet break the will of this war-band and drive them whimpering to their masters in the South. Be prepared for anything.' Protect Candaith Candaith says, "Their leaders have all gathered on the hill." White Hand Conscript says, "Keep a close watch. We don't want no surprises." Candaith says, "Wait! Let the patrol move out of sight." White Hand Conscript says, "Anything comes this way, and it'll be sorry." White Hand Conscript says, "Kill 'em! Kill 'em all!" Candaith says, "This torch may prove useful." Candaith says, "One of you take that torch...." Candaith says, "Perhaps we can light a fire to draw the goblins' attention." Candaith says, "We might split their forces." Candaith says, "Be prepared for anything." White Hand Conscript says, "Kill 'em! Kill 'em all!" Objective 2 Speak with Candaith A small force of goblins greeted you at the foot of Weathertop. Candaith has sent you upon the path to the left, while he will clear the path to the right, meeting once again upon the crest of Weathertop. Candaith says, "The road diverges ahead. We will need to split up." Candaith says, "Remember the torches. We may avoid a skirmish or two." Candaith says, "We need to be swift. These Orcs must be driven out of the Lone-lands." Candaith says, "We cannot fail here, friends." Candaith: 'The path diverges ahead. I shall follow the trail to the right, you follow the path to the left. If all goes well, we will meet again upon the peak of Weathertop. Wait until I have passed from sight before you proceed. 'Remember, we must defeat the leaders of this war band if we are to discourage them. Use the torches you find on the unlit pyres along the path. They may draw the attention of nearby Orcs.' Candaith says, "I will travel to the right." Candaith says, "You take the path to the left...." Candaith says, "We will meet at the crest of Weathertop." Candaith says, "If you come across Bûb-hosh or Muz, defeat them." Objective 3 Defeat Bûb-hosh Defeat Muz, the Warg-keeper Candaith sent you up one branch of the path up Weathertop, while he took the other, in search of the leaders of the Orc war-band. Seek out the enemies Bûb-hosh and Muz Bûb-hosh shouts as he approaches, 'What's all this ruckus, you curs!?' Bûb-hosh says, "Ungrateful worms! Sharkû will hear about this!" Bûb-hosh says, "Your life ends now, Man!" Bûb-hosh says, "Fly, fly from here! We are defeated!" Bûb-hosh says, "Avenge me, worms!" Defeated Bûb-hosh Muz says, "I'll feed you to the Wargs!" Muz says, "I've a surprise for you!" Defeated Muz, the Warg-keeper Throk-goth's howl directs his minions to attack <name>! White Hand Warg-keeper says, "I'll kill the <race>" White Hand Lookout says, "I'll get the goblins and Orcs. We'll get this târk!" Objective 4 Speak with Candaith at Weathertop's peak Somewhere above you on the path, Candaith waits to speak with you again. You have defeated two of the leaders of the Orc war-band. Candaith: 'You have done well, <name>, better than I, it appears. Uruk-hai and Orcs nearly bested me and my wounds run deep. 'But you must not concern yourself with me now. Beyond that gate is the Uruk who leads this force. Pass through the gate and defeat him. We cannot allow these Orcs to have a hold in the north.' Escort Candaith to the gate Candaith says, "I fear my injuries are greater than I expected, friends." Candaith says, "I will open the gate and hold the rear guard." Candaith says, "I will remain here to stop the enemy, should they decide to flee." Candaith says, "Be prepared for anything." Objective 5 Defeat Rigûl Defeat Rigûl's minions You have found the leader of Saruman's expedition, the Uruk Rigûl. You must defeat Rigûl and his minions to break their will and drive them from the Weather Hills. Find and defeat the Uruk-hai leader Rigûl says, "Pick up the pace, you sluggards!" White Hand Lookout says, "What's the hurry, Rigûl? The hill's ours...." Rigûl says, "That's the half of it, toad! We'll not keep Sharkû waiting!" Rigûl says, "Get down the hill and bring up the logs. We've a pyre to build." White Hand Bow-master says, "Get them logs up with what? You talk too big, Rigûl." Rigûl says, "Use your head, you worthless slug!" Rigûl says, "Get Olog-snaga down there and put him to work!" Rigûl says, "Feel the might of the Uruk-hai!" Rigûl says, "I'll not be beaten by you! I've a little surprise!" Rigûl says, "Now you die!" Rigûl says, "Saruman will find you!" Defeated Rigûl White Hand Lookout says, "I'll split your skull for that!" White Hand Gourger says, "I'll see you ended, maggot!" Defeated Olog-snaga Objective 6 Speak with Candaith The Uruk-hai expedition lies in ruins. You have won the day. You should speak with Candaith. Candaith: 'My wounds are grievous, but I shall recover. Come, we shall return to my camp.' Candaith says, "You did very well, friends. Unh...." OR Candaith says, "You did very well. Unh...."