In the Shadow of Angmar

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 crafting 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 Trestlebridge, 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 Gatson’s farm to pick up quests as a whole, so you get the maximum overlap that you can

Amenities in the North Downs
Location	Fast Transit	Mail	Grocer	Bard	Milestone	Reflecting Pool	Vault	Faction
Trestlebridge	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Othrikar	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Esteldin	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Rangers of Esteldin
Lin Giliath	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No

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.

North Downs Merchant List
Location	1 Handed Weaponsmith	2 Handed Weaponsmith	Heavy Armorsmith	Medium Armorsmith	Light Armorsmith	Bowyer	Healer	Provisioner	Outfitter	Faction Merchant
Trestlebridge	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Othrikar	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Esteldin	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Rangers of Esteldin
Lin Giliath	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No

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 it’s 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 place 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 Angmar’s 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 quests 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.

North Downs Crafting Chart
Location	Forge	Oven	Workbench	Supplies
Trestlebridge	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Othrikar	No	No	No	Yes
Esteldin	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lin Giliath	No	No	No	No

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 Gatson’s farm (where the cows are on the map) and Esteldin.  This area is full of spiders, wargs, orcs and hoar mantles.  Several quests from Gatson’s farm deal with the orcs found in Western Kingsfell.

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.  Don’t 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

Esteldin

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 quests here.

Othrikar

The dwarven village of Othrikar is more or less a location for quests 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 quests 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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