In the Shadow of Angmar
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Guide to the North Downs
By Darkgolem
The North Downs is a huge area where the free peoples are on the very
edge of war. The orcs and wild men have boiled out of Angmar and
taken residence in different parts of the North Downs, putting humans,
elves and dwarves on the defensive. Just the place for members of
the free people to stand forth and turn the black tide aside.
There are a lot of tier 3 and 2
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resources here, and you can fairly easily get to tier 3 mastery
just in this large area.
Getting Quests
There is a lot of synergy between quests in the North Downs. It
is a good idea to get all the quests from
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the ruins around Fornost, and complete them as a whole, since
their objectives overlap. East of the river, in Kingsfell, Nan
Amlug West and Meluinen these quests tend to overlap. Make sure
to head to Othrikar, Meluinen, Esteldin and Gatsons farm to pick up
quests as a whole, so you get the maximum overlap that you can
in the North Downs
of Esteldin
Regions of the North Downs
The North Downs has many different areas, each of which has a different
story and creatures. The whole of this massive region is
appropriate for levels 20 to (about) 33. Divide the North Downs
by north/south line, following the river bordering Annundir, Kingsfell
and leading down to Meluinen. West of that point is appropriate
for levels 25 or lower, east for levels 26 and higher.
Downs Merchant List
of Esteldin
Nan Wathren
Nan Wathren is a massive area located east of the town of
Trestlebridge, home to a wide variety of orcs and goblins. The
area here is separate by its upper reaches and lower reaches.
Almost all the creatures in the lower regions are normal
creatures. Creatures in the upper regions are elite
creatures. This is a good
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to gather recipes and tier 2 scholar tokens, both of which drop from
creatures here. There are several quests here, mostly for
Trestlebridge. When you come here, bring friends, unless
you are at least level 30.
The Greensward
There are few quests here, but this is a good place for tier 2
resources. Orcs, wild animals can be found here.
Overlooking the Fields of Fornost are ruins and a stable master.
At these ruins (closer to the downs, right near the stable master,
called Amon Raith) are several settlers who were driven from Fornost by
Angmars forces. There are some quests which server them, and are
appropriate for low 20th levels. Many of the quest here deal with
the goblins located east of the stable master, at Amon Raith.
The Fields of Fornost
Fornost is located due north of Trestlebridge at the end of the
greenway. Since taken by the enemy, this are is a danger to
adventurers, and should be approached by heroes of levels 38 or
so. The Fields of Fornost is the corrupt and haunted area
inhabited by ghosts (oathbreakers) and barghests. Near Fornost,
to the east of the road leading to the ruins, there are higher level
wargs, bears and orcs. This is a good place to start gathering
tier 3 resources, and there are some
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that lead here from a small camp near the fields, and the ruins
overlooking them (near the stable master), Amon Raith.
Annundir
There are a few quests here, and the goblin haunted ruins overlooking
Annundir, from the ruins near the Fields of Fornost. This area is
mainly tier 2, but some tier 3 skins can be found here. There are
many wargs here, along with bears and wolves.
Downs Crafting Chart
Kingsfell
Bordering the ranger enclave of Esteldin, Kingsfell is one of the areas
will be spending a lot of time in while you are in the North
Downs. The are quests at Gatsons farm (where the cows are on the
map) and Esteldin. This area is full of spiders, wargs, orcs and
hoar mantles. Several quests from Gatsons farm deal with the
orcs found in Western Kingsfell.
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Meluinen
Home of the elven settlement of Lin Giliath, this area is threatened by
the trolls of Taur Gon Walth. There are also sickle flies, orcs
and other creatures. There are a few quests here, including some
that lead north to Kingsfell.
Nan Amlug West
Located nestled in the hills north of Kingsfell, Othrikar is a friendly
dwarven settlement presently being threatened by the Dourhand
dwarves. The dwarves of Othrikar was your help fighting
back. In some cases, quests lead down to Kingsfell, and it is a
good idea to pickup these quests when you start questing in
Kingsfell. Nan Amlug west stretches from Annundir on the west all
the way to the gateway to Angmar on the east. The eastern par of Nan
Amlug West are inhabited by wargs and hoar mantles, along with some
earth-kin. Make sure you are prepared for eastern Nan Amlug by
being at least in your late 20s.
Nan Amlug East and Rhunenlad
Nan Amlug East is a very dangerous area, very similar to Nan Amlug
West, but also containing bats and wild men. The wildmen are
mainly elites, and guard the entrances to Angmar. Dont try to
deal with the wildmen until your much higher level.
Rhunenlad is awash with wargs. As the entrance to Dol Dine not
the south, the wargs have overrun this area, and you should not tarry
here unless you are hunting wargs.
Dol Dinen
Dol Dinen is a fortress of the enemy. Occupied by trolls, orcs,
wargs, goblins, one should never go here unless a quest from Esteldin
sends you hear. Be prepare for fighting, and bring friends.
This is a good place to find tier 4 scholar items, they drop off of the
enemies here.
Settlements of the North Downs
Trestlebridge
More of a stop than a settlement, there are resources for crafting in
Trestlebridge, along with some quests. The area here is
dedicated to stopping the frequent raids from the orcs of Nan Wathren
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Hidden between Nan Amlug and Kingsfell, these ruins are now home to the
forces of man in the North Downs. A major stopping area, there
are not only crafting areas, all the types of merchants, and a vault,
there is also the faction Ranger of Esteldin available here. All
the class trainers can be found in Esteldin. There are tons of
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here.
Othrikar
The dwarven village of Othrikar is more or less a location for
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only. You can get some favor with Thorin's Hall, and there is a
merchant or two here, but no crafting and only mail.
Lin Giliath
Lin Giliath is the elvish enclave in the heart of Meluinen.
Encroached upon by orcs, trolls and foul creatures, they are fairly
occupied as of late. There are plenty of
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to be found here. Also, there is a single grocer and a lore
master trainer, but that is all for any amenities here.
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