By: Martuk

With the launch of Book 11, Middle-earth received a new raid instance known as "The Rift of Nurz Ghashu." This new raid instance offers a new burst of high level content for patrons of Middle-earth. The Rift, as it is called for short, has many new raid boss targets. These bosses have a chance to drop a variety of gems that can be exchanged to specific merchants at the Ranger camp near the entrance to "The Rift" in Angmar. These gems can be exchanged for class specific gear from these merchants, so all gems are useful to every class as each can be exchanged for a different section of armor.

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This new guide series will detail what I know about "The Rift" in terms of gems, the barter merchants, and the items that can be traded for. The gems are not the only currency of barter, but they are certainly the most valuable. Inside the rift there is a giant camp that you can exchange Scraps of Rift-Iron Ore and Obsidian Rock Shard's for Rift-Iron coins. You will need to speak to the giant named Utrygg to barter the ore for coins. These coins can then be used to barter with merchants at Iorelen's Rangers camp near the entrance of "The Rift" in northeastern Angmar. The exchange rate for the ore and coins are as follows...

5 Scraps of Rift-Iron Ore: 1Rift-iron coin
3 Obsidian Rock Shard: 1Rift-iron coin

Rift-iron coins can be used at Iorelen's Ranger camp near the entrance to "The Rift." While the coins won't get you items as great as the gems, they can get you some useful provisions and armour. To make use of your coins, speak with Amban (Odds and Ends Vendor) or Ruinestel (Consumable Trader). Both of these barter merchants can be found at the Iorelen's Ranger camp. The coins can be exchanged for the following items...

Amban (Odds and Ends Trader) Name Type Set Bonus Coin Cost Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Fate
Set (2) +22 Morale Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Fate
Set (2) +22 Morale Set (2) +15 Will
Set (2) +15 Fate
Set (2) +22 Power Set (2) +15 Will
Set (2) +15 Fate
Set (2) +22 Power Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Will
Set (2) +22 Power Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Will
Set (2) +22 Power Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Agility
Set (2) +22 Morale Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Agility
Set (2) +22 Morale Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Might
Set (2) +22 Morale Set (2) +15 Vitality
Set (2) +15 Might
Set (2) +22 Morale

 

The second vendor within Iorelen's Ranger camp offers a variety of potions and draughts that can help aid you in the many battles within the rift. These draughts can remove the effect of poison, wounds, fear, and even inspire hope. You will need to speak with Ruinestel (Consumable Trader) to barter for these goods.

 

Ruinestel (Consumable Trader) Name Effect Coin Cost Flask of Ringnen Salve +10% Fire Mitigation Pot of Ringnen Salve Adds a bonus to your fellowship's fire mitigation. 8 Pure Milkthistle Draughts Removes up to 1 Poison effect with maximum strength of 55 from the target. 8 Pure Flasks of Lhinestad Removes up to 1 Disease effect with maximum strength of 55 from the target. 8 Pure Healing Draughts Removes up to 1 Wound effect with maximum strength of 55 from the target. 8 Pure Flasks of Conhuith Removes up to 1 Fear effect with maximum strength of 55 from the target. 4 Pure Essences of Athelas Restores +520-540 Morale on use. 4 Pure Celebrant Salves Restores +520-540 Power on use. Brilliant Edhelharn Token Gives +5 Hope to your fellowship for 15 minutes. Soot-covered Ring +15 Fate
+22Morale
+22Power Set Bonus:
Set
(2) +30 Vitality
Set (2) +30 Will
Set (2) +45 Morale
Set (2) +45 Power Flagon of Imladris Miruvor Adds a bonus to your fellowship's Shadow mitigation. Flask of Imladris Miruvor +10% to Shadow mitigation.

While the token's obtained with ore don't get you the best gear that "The Rift" can offer, it does provide you with an alternate means of gaining some decent items. The second part of this guide will offer more details involving the goods for each class and where you can obtain some of them. Until then, hunker down, and start collecting that ore. These goods may be the first step towards obtaining some of the best gear in the game, courtesy of "The Rift."

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