The Black Book of Ettenmoor - Part 1: Introduction and Quests

- by Orc of Nimrodel (introduction by Cameron "Aelryn" Sorden)

(skip to The Black Book of Ettenmoor - Part 2: Quests Continued)

Come closer, young traveler... so, you've heard of the might of the Dark Lord and wish to join his service, do you? Your mind is awash with visions of glory and dark power beyond your wildest dreams, no doubt. Banish those thoughts, worm! Sauron offers great power to those he deems worthy, but you have a long path ahead of you before you'll be tasting any real power. The life of a servant of Angmar is neither pleasant nor easy. You're likelier to wind up dead in a hole with some warrior's arrow through your eye than to lead the armies of Sauron into battle... but should you survive long enough, the rewards will be all you could ask for and far greater than you had ever imagined.

Take this black tome and study it carefully. It will be of great use to you in the coming days, as you find your own path in the Dark Lord's service. Within in its pages you will find a great hoard of knowledge concerning the Ettenmoors, our current battlefield with the enemy. Learn the lessons within it well, and use this knowledge to grow swift and strong. With caution, dedication, and an iron will, you may be of more use to Angmar than the other common initiates we use for front line fodder around here. Now depart from my presence, and do not return until you have proven your worth...

I. Of the Monsters of Middle-Earth



Orc

“…all that race were bred by Melko of the subterranean heats and slime. Their hearts were of granite and their bodies deformed; foul their faces which smiled not, but their laugh that of the clash of metal, and to nothing were they more fain than to aid in the basest of the purposes of Melko.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fall of Gondolin



Classes: Reaver



Uruk-Hai

“It became clear in time that undoubted Men could under the domination of Morgoth or his agents in a few generations be reduced almost to the Orc-level of mind and habits; and then they would or could be made to mate with Orcs producing new breeds, often larger and more cunning.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien, Morgoth's Ring



Classes: Blackarrow; Warleader



Spider

“The Eldar knew not when she [Ungoliant] came; but some have said that in ages long before she descended from the darkness that lies about Arda, when Melkor first looked down in envy upon the Kingdome of Manwë, and that in the beginning she was one of those that he corrupted to his service.”



“In a ravine she lived, and took shape as a spider of monstrous form, weaving her black webs…”


“…fleeing from the north she went down into Beleriand, and dwelt beneath Ered Gorgoroth, in that dark valley that was after called Nan Dungortheb, the Valley of Dreadful Death, because of the horror that she bred there. For other foul creatures of spider form had dwelt there since the days of the delving of Angband, and she mated with them, and devoured them; and even after Ungoliant herself departed…her offspring abode there and wove their hideous webs.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien, Of the Darkening of Valinor



Classes: Weaver



Warg

“Then Sauron sent Draugluin, a dread beast, old in evil, lord and sire of the werewolves of Angband. His might was great; and the battle…was long and fierce. Yet at length Draugluin escaped, and fleeing back into the tower he died before Sauron's feet…”



“Then Morgoth…chose one from among the whelps of the race of Draugluin; and he fed him with his own hand upon living flesh, and put his power upon him. Swiftly the wolf grew, until he could creep into no den, but lay huge and hungry before the feet of Morgoth. There the fire and anguish of hell entered into him, and he became filled with a devouring spirit, tormented, terrible, and strong.”
~J.R.R. Tolkien, Of Beren and Lúthien



Classes: Stalker

 

II. Of the Classes of Monsters





Blackarrow – “The uruk Blackarrow uses his hideous strength to pull the massive longbows to deadly effect.”



Reaver – “Savage, brutal, and deadly, the reaver is at home on the field of battle—and few places else.”



Stalker – “Silent and stealthy, the stalker strikes suddenly and does not offer escape for his foe.”



Warleader – “An impressive specimen of orc, the uruk war leader commands and directs forces in battle.”



Weaver – “Using poisons and clinging webs, the weaver can manipulate and control her prey.”

 

 

III. Of Quests and Rewards




***Excluding the six introductory travel quests, all quests in the Ettenmoors are repeatable.***

***Excluding the badge quests which reset instantly, all quests reset 90-120 minutes after completion.***

***The quest reset counter continues to count down while in hero play or logged off.***

***Certain quest givers are only available when a specific keep is under enemy control, see quest descriptions for further details.***





Ettenmoors



A Dash of This and That [Repeatable][2h 00m]

“Taskmaster Gukthor admits hating the taste of the gruel, but has found that the seeds the rat-folk use to grow their leaf adds a nice bite to the mash he uses in his gruel. He has asked that you collect ten seeds for the evening meal.”

Obtain: Taskmaster Gukthor at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect brittleleaf-seeds (10)

Completion: Return to Taskmaster Gukthor at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 250 Destiny Points

Notes: Nothing spices up a meal like a little nicotine (also helps keep the troops in line, who’s going to mutiny against their supplier?). If you’ve decided that drug trafficking is your career goal, then head over to Hoarhallow to the south-east of Dâr-gazag. You’ll find the hobbits’ hydropon–er, farm, on the south side of their town, and there you can simply loot the brittleleaf sprouts for their seeds. Or, if you want to take the slower, more violent route you can murder hobbits and take their personal stashes, though not every hobbit is carrying.

Captain-Generals’ Symbols [Repeatable][Instant]

“At the head of the enemy forces stand the Captain-Generals. Their symbols garner great favour amongst Angmar’s army, and presenting these to Mordirith will undoubtedly earn you favour with Lugbúrz.”

Obtain: Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect Captain-Generals’ symbols (1)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 2000 Destiny Points

Notes:

First Marshals’ Marks [Repeatable][Instant]

“First Marshals stand only behind the Captain-General in rank amongst the enemy army. Chieftain Durulkum wants their marks of rank to further the favour this war-host gains with Angmar, Mordirith, and Lugbúrz.”

Obtain: Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect First Marshals’ marks (1)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 750 Destiny Points

Notes:

Footmens’ Badges [Repeatable][Instant]

“Footmen, wardens, and scouts patrolling the wild of the Ettenmoors adorn their uniforms with badges denoting their rank. You have been tasked with recovering these badges and delivering them to Chieftain Durulkum at Gramsfoot.”

Obtain: Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect footmens’ badges (20)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 250 Destiny Points

Notes:

Get to Grothum, Maggot [Not Repeatable]

“Grothum is the village in the north-eastern stretch of the Ettenmoors known as Arador’s End. It is here that the Snowreap-goblins, who dwell in old dwarf-ruins throughout the Misty Mountains have congregated to assist the war-host with the Isendeep Mine!”

Obtain: Uglash at Gramsfoot

Objective: Talk to Bok; Defeat is not an option!

Completion: Automatically upon speaking with Bok

Reward: 125 Destiny Points

Notes: Now this is the travel quest that separates the monsters from the, um, monsterlings. Open your map and you’ll see a squarish shape outcropping under the “tt” in the word Ettenmoors at the top right of the map. That’s where Grothum is (of course, why else would I mention it?). If you’re prone to getting lost, just follow the Hoardale river north-east to its source and it’ll take you straight to it. Now when I say source, I don’t mean stop when you hit a waterfall, or stop when it freezes over. I mean to its source, the point at which originates. If you start at Tol Ascarnen and head north, you’ll pass three waterfalls, the river freezes starting at the second of these. To get to the top of the waterfalls you’ll have to look around a little to either side of the river to find a pathway up, you shouldn’t have to go very far to find them. There are some drakes to watch out for in the area between the second and third waterfalls, stick to the river and they shouldn’t agro, if they do just keep running and they’ll give up (like they’re going to go out of their way to eat a maggot). Take care not to die during the run there or back, as you’ll have to start over if you do since DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

Into the Grimwood [Not Repeatable]

“Uglash sent you to Hithlad, east of the southern stretch of the Hoardale River to find the Grimwood Lumber-yard.”

Obtain: Uglash at Gramsfoot

Objective: Scout the Grimwood Lumber-yard; Defeat is not an option!

Completion: Return to Uglash at Gramsfoot

Reward: 125 Destiny Points

Notes: Grimwood… you’ll never find a more wretched hive of twigs and, um, sticks. Really, they call this place a lumber camp but the only lumber here is still stuck in the ground. They’ll send you on endless quests collecting pieces of wood rotting on the forest floor because the trolls in charge of this place are too stupid to know that axes can be used to cut down trees in addition to hobbits. If you are insistent on coming here, then head south from Tol Ascarnen. Basically, the lumber camp is in the center of Grimwood which encompasses most of the central southern region of the Ettenmoors. The place may be under Free People’s control when you get here; if so, try to go around the guards rather than through them (you don’t have to get very close to fulfill the objective) since DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION and you’ll have to restart if you die.

Lieutenants’ Seals [Repeatable][Instant]

“Lieutenants watch over the sergeants and lesser guards of the enemy as they drive their war-efforts deeper into the Ettenmoors. Plucking the seals worn by each of these warriors will earn you greater favour with your leaders.”

Obtain: Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect Lieutenants’ seals (5)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 500 Destiny Points

Notes:

Mash [Repeatable][2h 00m]

“Gruel comes from somewhere, and with an army as large as the forces Angmar have sent to the Ettenmoors, gruel is needed in great abundance. You have been charged with collecting the main ingredient in the mush Taskmaster Gukthor makes.”

Obtain: Soldier Graus at Gramsfoot or Taskmaster Gukthor at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect slug-meat (10)

Completion: Return to Taskmaster Gukthor at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 250 Destiny Points

Notes: What do you feed the greatest army of darkness in the world? The answer: whatever’s nearby. Unfortunately for you, the nearest living things (aside from orcs and wargs, which you can’t eat unless theys was already dead before you got there) are bloodlust leeches. You’ll find these guys all over the Steps of Gram, living near pools of a water-like substance. Also note that there are two quest givers for this quest, but the quest can only be turned in to Taskmaster Gukthor in Dâr-gazag.

Not Just for Eating [Repeatable][2h 00m]

“Rat-folk living on the banks of the Hoardale, south of Dâr-gazag, are not only a succulent meal, but they are a source of replenishible food. The rat-folk are farmers, supplying the enemy forces with foodstuffs. Foodstuffs can be stolen and eaten by your army as well.”

Obtain: Taskmaster Gukthor at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect food-sacks (10)

Completion: Return to Taskmaster Gukthor at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 250 Destiny Points

Notes: You think these guys talk about eating hobbits a lot? Well, get use to it, it’s a recurring theme in the Ettenmoors. However, one cannot live on a diet of hobbit alone, therefore you must steal the food sacks carried by the Free People and lying on the ground in Hoarhallow, the hobbit town south-east of Dâr-gazag. One might think that these constant raids on their food supplies would leave the Free People dying of starvation, but apparently these bags of food magically reappear after five minutes or so.

Raid: Captain-General Lainedhel of Ost Ringdyr [Repeatable][<unknown>]

“Attempts to weaken the enemy forces are proving fruitful, and the keep east of Tirith Rhaw, where the Elf Captain-General Lainedhel rules, is the target of assault. You are charged with organizing a war-band to assault Ost Ringdyr in an effort to slaughter the lord of the keep.”

Obtain: Taskmaster Krul at Gramsfoot

Objective: Defeat Captain-General Lainedhel at Ost Ringdyr

Completion: Return to Taskmaster Krul at Gramsfoot

Reward: 2000 Destiny Points

Notes:

Report to Dâr-gazag [Not Repeatable]

“Driven by a harsh Krahjarn Taskmaster you find yourself within the Gramsfoot stronghold in the shadow of Mount Gram on the border of the Ettenmoors. Here to support your Ongbúrz brothers under the watchful eye of the Krahjarn, you are ushered south into the Steps of Gram in search of Chieftain Durulkum.”

Obtain: Uglash at Gramsfoot

Objective: Talk to Chieftain Durulkum; Defeat is not an option!

Completion: Automatically upon speaking with Chieftain Durulkum

Reward: 125 Destiny Points

Notes: Go to the entrance of Gramsfoot and face south and a little to the west. See that path? Follow it and you’ll hit Dâr-gazag, never say that Papa Sauron didn’t do anything for his minions. If you get lost, either hit escape and click on “leave monster play” (and don’t come back!) or, if you’re persistent, head to the south-western region of the Steps of Gram and you’ll see the town. Try not to die (although if you figure out a way of doing it between Gramsfoot and Dâr-gazag, you’re a better [worse?] monster than I) because DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

Report to Lugazag [Not Repeatable]

“You have been ordered to make your presence known to Soldier Gazlup at Lugazag.”

Obtain: Uglash at Gramsfoot

Objective: Speak with Soldier Gazlup at Lugazag; Defeat is not an option!

Completion: Automatically upon speaking with Soldier Gazlup

Reward: 125 Destiny Points

Notes: Go to the entrance of Gramsfoot. Face south. See those ruins on the hill? That’s Lugazag. If you don’t see them, you really should consider upgrading your computer so you can increase your clipping plane to a reasonable level. You’ll find Gazlup halfway up the stairwell, he’s the only guy with the ability to speak in Lugazag but apparently he’s not good enough to get a real room. There is a chance that Lugazag may be under Free People control, in which case Gazlup probably won’t be standing in the middle of an enemy controlled keep surrounded by the stench of dwarves. I would imagine that under these circumstances all you could do is wait till Lugazag is reclaimed before completing the quests. Try not to die to the slugs on your way there, because DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION and you’ll have to start over (although really, if you die to a slug, you’re probably not cut out for this job).

Sergeant-at-Arms’ Patches [Repeatable][Instant]

“Sergeants command smaller units of the enemy army. These feeble creatures believe that they can stand up to the might of Angmar’s army, but they shall soon learn that they face a relentless foe.”

Obtain: Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Collect sergeants’ patches (10)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Durulkum at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 250 Destiny Points

Notes:

Tasty Little Farmers and Gardeners [Repeatable][2h 00m]

“Upon arriving in the Ettenmoors, scouts were sent to the far corners in search of allies and enemies within the land. In the south, just across the Hoardale river, a secluded village of plump rat-folk was found, and the inhabitants there were found to be resistant to the forces of Angmar. It was also discovered that the folk were quite tasty.”

Obtain: Taskmaster Fikdag at Dâr-gazag

Objective: Defeat Hoarhallow Farmer (5); Defeat Hoarhallow Gardener (5)

Completion: Return to Taskmaster Fikdag at Dâr-gazag

Reward: 250 Destiny Points

Notes: Apparently when you slay a farmer or gardener, their delicious meats are magically whisked back to Dâr-gazag, which is the only rationale explanation I can think of for putting the word “tasty” in the title of a quest which doesn’t involve eating. You’ll find these guys frolicking gaily in their town of Hoarhallow as if they didn’t realize there was an Angmar military base a moment’s walk away. In addition to their lives, these guys are like the gifts that keep on giving when it comes to quests. Hold on to any legs, feet, food sacks, seeds, or badges you obtain during your trip to Hoarhallow as they’re all useful for various things and such and the like.

To Tirith Rhaw [Not Repeatable]

“Your education continues with a trip far to the west to Tirith Rhaw, a tower in the lands controlled by the enemy.”

Obtain: Uglash at Gramsfoot

Objective: Scout out Tirith Rhaw; Defeat is not an option!

Completion: Return to Uglash at Gramsfoot

Reward: 125 Destiny Points

Notes: You’ll find Tirith Rhaw due east of Tol Ascarnen. Haven’t found Tol Ascarnen yet? Then try north-east of Grimwood. Haven’t found Grimwood either? Then head south from Isendeep/Grothum. If you haven’t found any of those yet, then why the hell are you looking for Tirith Rhaw? Anyways, it’s approximately in the central eastern area of the Ettenmoors, big tower surrounded by bears, can’t miss it. If the guards have distinctly non-monster characteristics and try to kill you, chances are it’s under Free People control at the time. Just run up from an angle that avoids guards until you get the objective complete message (beware you aren’t overwhelmed by the stench of dwarves) and then run away like the sorry excuse for a monster you are. Try not to die during this quest or you’ll have to start over again (just like in real life!), since DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

To Tol Ascarnen [Not Repeatable]

“You have been ushered out on a simple scouting mission to find the central keep called Tol Ascarnen.”

Obtain: Uglash at Gramsfoot

Objective: Scout out Tol Ascarnen; Defeat is not an option!

Completion: Return to Uglash at Gramsfoot

Reward: 125 Destiny Points

Notes: Ah, Tol Ascarnen. Once home to the Witch-king, now a rundown hovel in the middle of a river. You’ll find this place south-east of Gramsfoot in the approximate center of the Ettenmoors. If you notice angry looking guards and the stench of dwarves as you approach, the keep is probably under Free People control. In that case, feel free to walk up to the guards in an attempt at peaceful negotiations (Free People usually aren’t too receptive though), or you can fight/infiltrate/run close enough to the walls to complete the objectives while attempting not to die, as DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION.



Grimwood Lumber Camp



Big Stuff [Repeatable][1h 30m]

“Taskmaster Ghamp, the troll stationed at the Grimwood Lumber-yard made mention of ‘big log’. You surmise that he needs large logs to repair the walls encircling the camp.”

Obtain: Taskmaster Ghamp at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Objective: Collect Grimwood-logs (20)

Completion: Return to Taskmaster Ghamp at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Reward: 500 Destiny Points

Notes: Normally, when a troll starts talking about “big logs”, it’s time to map out of the area. In this case, he’s actually just referring to Grimwood logs which can be found on fallen logs and fallen timber. These are found throughout (surprise!) Grimwood and appear to spawn in static locations, though on random timers. While searching for these, hold on to any kindling, roots, or troll stone you find as they’re used in other quests (unless you like wasting time, that is).

Carving OutHearts [Repeatable][<unknown>]

“The Angmarim within the city of Carn Dúm have a desire for heartwood cut from the centre of the Leafcull-trees within the Grimwood. He has offered you a reward for collecting the heartwood.”

Obtain: Chieftain Torbok at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Objective: Collect Grimwood Heartwood Logs (20)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Torbok at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Reward: 750 Destiny Points

Notes: Yeah, I realize there’s no space between “Out” and “Hearts” in the title, but there’s no space there in game either. Rather than carving Outhearts (sounds painful for Outheart) like the name implies, you’re actually supposed to carve out heartwood from the Leafculler Fell-oaks and Fell-maples to the south. Fighting trees may not sound all that tough, but these are no normal trees, they have bees in the branches and when they attack they shoot bees at you (they also hit you with roots in a not-so-friendly manner). You can also find heartwood on fallen timber, just don’t count on that as being a quick means of finishing the quest.

Easy Pickings [Repeatable][1h 30m]

“Taskmaster Ghamp offered you a reward to find sticks not as big as logs. This likely means smaller-sized wood, like the kindling found throughout the Grimwood.”

Obtain: Taskmaster Ghamp at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Objective: Collect Grimwood-kindling (20)

Completion: Return to Taskmaster Ghamp at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Reward: 500 Destiny Points

Notes: It seems kind of odd to me that a lumber camp would be in such dire need of wood. Even more peculiar, rather than cutting down trees to obtain said wood, they send random monsters off into the forest to find half rotten wood lying on the ground. Really, I suppose it’s to be expected with a troll being in charge of the camp. You’ll find this kindling on fallen timber, fallen logs, and fallen saplings all over Grimwood. If you want to do it the hard way, head south and kill the leafcullers, you’ll occasionally be able to rip kindling off their corpses.

Gorgoris the Gorger [Repeatable][<unknown>]

“Gorgoris, the ancient brood-mother of the Grimfang, will assist you in claiming the Grimwood Lumber-yard, if you help her defend her brood.”

Obtain: Gorgoris at the Grimfang Brood keep to the north-west of Grimwood Lumber Camp when Free People are in control of Grimwood

Objective: Collect Sun-touched tailfeathers (300)

Completion: Return to Gorgoris at the Grimfang Brood keep to the north-west of Grimwood Lumber

Reward: 2000 Destiny Points

Notes: If retaking Grimwood Lumber Camp is proving too difficult for you, or if you just really love quests with horrible time invested-to-reward ratios, this is the quest for you. For the mere cost of 300 sun-touched tailfeathers, a moderately sized spider of questionable strength will aid you in reclaiming Grimwood. Gorgoris only appears when Grimwood Lumber Camp is in the hands of the Free People (seems that during times of peace she’s too busy smoking the brittleleaf to be bothered). If you really want to help the old girl out, I recommend heading to eastern Coldfells to hunt eagles; you’ll be killing a lot and they’re in much greater supply there than in Arador’s End.

Lashing the Walls [Repeatable][1h 30m]

“Binding the walls at the lumber-yard requires roots to be used as lashings.”

Obtain: Chieftain Torbok at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Objective: Collect Grimwood-roots (20)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Torbok at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Reward: 500 Destiny Points

Notes: I know I feel secure in a wooden base which is being held together by the roots of saplings. The only thing that could possibly make this base even more invincible would be… 20 more roots! So get out there and start looting all the fallen saplings, fallen timber, and fallen logs you see (common sense tells us that the roots of dead plants rotting on the ground are the strongest). If the forest is already crawling with monsters also searching for twigs and such to further reinforce the already invulnerable base, you can try killing the leafcullers further to the south, they’ll usually drop 1-2 per kill.

Raid: Captain-General Bordagor [Repeatable]

“The Grimwood forest covering most of Hithlad is home to a lumber-yard established by a race of small, tasty folk. The rat-folk dwell far away from the lumber-yard, but the enemy is there now. What is worse, an Elf stands at the head of the enemy’s army.”

Obtain: Soldier Bagfra at Gramsfoot when Free People are in control of Grimwood

Objective: Defeat Captain-General Bordagor and claim the Grimwood Lumber-yard

Completion: Automatically upon defeating Captain-General Bordagor

Reward: 2000 Destiny Points

Notes: Grimwood Lumber Yard, the sole supplier of wood to the armies of Angmar in the Ettenmoors, has been taken by the enemy. The Witch-king’s solution? Tell some lowly soldier to take care of it. Really, what kind of army sends one soldier to kill an enemy leader in the middle of their highly guarded base? The one you joined. On the bright side, Papa Sauron will cover the costs of your repair bills after you die. As far as keeps go, this one is the easiest to reclaim. Bordagor’s an “avenger” mob with about 135k morale (hey, what elf wouldn’t be full of confidence when all their enemy can do is send soldiers at them one at a time). Bring about three fellowships and it should be overkill if there are no defenders.

Weapons of War [Repeatable][1h 30m]

“To wage a war, one needs weapons. To sustain a war-machine, one needs the items to drive the war-machine.”

Obtain: Chieftain Torbok at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Objective: Collect Grimwood-logs (10); Collect Isendeep-ore (10)

Completion: Return to Chieftain Torbok at Grimwood Lumber Camp

Reward: 500 Destiny Points

Notes:

(continue to The Black Book of Ettenmoor - Part 2: Quests Continued)

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Last Updated: Mar 29, 2016

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