Quest:Intro: The Assault on Archet

Bestowal dialogue

'Quickly! Éogan is making his move against Archet. We must go to the town's defence at once! Return to me when you are prepared.'

Background

Your efforts at the Blackwolds' Roost were too late in coming. The Blackwolds are marching upon Archet.

Objective 1

Jon Brackenbrook is at the Hunting Lodge, east of Archet.

Jon Brackenbrook is waiting for you to join his company.

• Talk to Jon Brackenbrook

'Are you ready to go? Very well...'

Instance

Background

Archet is under attack. Jon Brackenbrook and the other hunters will guard the pass east into Archet, but you must go forwards and learn the fate of Mundo, Celandine, Amdir, and Captain Brackenbrook.

Objective 1

The breach in Archet's east wall is due west of the Hunter's Lodge.

You must prevent the Blackwolds from recapturing Mundo.

• Save Archet from the Blackwolds

Jon Brackenbrook says, 'There is little time to sit here talking. Go, now!'

Jon Brackenbrook says, 'I fear for the safety of my father! Hurry!'

Jon Brackenbrook says, 'Hurry! You must save Archet!'

Jon Brackenbrook says, 'I will find another way in! Head through the valley and into Archet!'

Objective 2

Ned Pruner is grievously wounded and requires assistance.

Calder Cob says, 'Like the feel of my boot, Turnkey?'

Peg Pruner says, 'Oh which blasted key is it?'

Jailor Ned Pruner says, 'Unnh!'

Peg Pruner says, 'Hold on, Ned! I'm coming!'

Calder Cob says, 'Enough fun. Back to work!'

Calder Cob says, 'Poor Ned's done for. Ha!'

Jailor Ned Pruner says, 'Peg...Where are you...?'

Peg Pruner says, 'Why did he lock this door?'

Jailor Ned Pruner says, 'Mercy!'

Jailor Ned Pruner says, 'I can't move....'

Jailor Ned Pruner says, 'Stop, I beg you!'

Jailor Ned Pruner says, 'So cold....'

• Talk to Jailor Ned Pruner

'Amdir... Amdir is close by. He escaped the slaughter at the Badger. Ye must help him... defend the Badger...!

'That hobbit Éogan wants... and the Captain. I... I saw Éogan... go after 'em! Ye must save 'em...!'

Peg Pruner says, 'Ned! No!'

Peg Pruner says, 'What have they done to my Ned!'

Objective 3

Make your way further into Archet and find Amdir.

After you defeated the prisoners, Ned Pruner told you that Éogan was looking for the hobbit, Mundo Sackville-Baggins. He also told you that Amdir could be found somewhere ahead and that you should aid him in the defence of the Mad Badger Inn. After Ned died, his wife Peg came to attend to his body.

• Talk to Amdir

'Good, I am glad to see you. You have proven a boon companion to me, and now we must work to stop these Blackwolds.

'I just barely escaped the flames before the way was blocked. Their leader, Éogan, lies just ahead, seeking Mundo Sackville-Baggins.

'If we are to stop these Blackwolds, we must get past these flames. Quickly, over in the square there lies a well. Draw water from it and douse the flames. We must come to the aid of Captain Brackenbrook and the town guard.'

Objective 4

There is a well in the square.

Amdir was able to escape from the town square before the flames blocked the way. He has asked for your help in drawing water to douse the flames so that you may return to the defence of the Mad Badger Inn.

• Draw water from the well
• Douse the flames

Amdir says, 'Come now!'

Objective 5

With the flames doused, the way to Éogan and the rest of the Blackwolds is clear.

• Follow Amdir

Jon Brackenbrook says, 'Father! Noooo!'

Éogan says, 'Fall, fool!'

Captain Brackenbrook says, 'Aaaaaah...!'

Amdir says, 'You shall pay for your crimes, villain!'

Éogan says, 'Then come, Dúnadan. End this.'

Amdir says, 'AAAAH!'

Éogan says, 'The Nazgúl's morgul-knife has sapped your will, Dúnadan.'

Amdir says, 'I...cannot.... So...weak....'

Éogan says, 'Excellent...Otto take our friend away.'

Éogan says, 'You...deal with the whelps.'

Otto says, 'Come on, you.'

Amdir says, '...yes....'

Celandine Brandybuck says, 'Amdir! No!'

Objective 6

Protect Archet by defeating the Blackwolds and their leader, Éogan.

Amdir was rendered powerless by the morgul-wound he suffered from the Nazgûl, and now it is up to you to save Archet from the Blackwolds.

• Defeat Éogan and the Blackwolds

Éogan says, 'Enough! I shall deal with you myself!'

Éogan says, 'Uugh....'

Celandine Brandybuck says, 'Hooray!'

Objective 7

With Éogan defeated, you should speak to Mundo, who seems the most shaken of the hobbits.

• Talk to Mundo Sackville-Baggins

'Oh thank goodness you are here! That Éogan kept asking me questions, as if I knew about some great treasure or something. I kept telling him I knew nothing, but he didn't believe me!'

'He said that I was the halfling who had gone off with the dwarves, but those are Mad Baggins' tales! I didn't have anything to do with those stories!

'Wait... what's that?'

Mundo Sackville-Baggins says, 'Look, Éogan is moving!'

Éogan says, 'So this Baggins was telling the truth? He is useless to us.'

Éogan says, 'It is no matter. We have the Dúnadan...'

Éogan says, '...And he may prove to be a great boon!'

Mundo Sackville-Baggins says, 'Oh dear...oh dear....'

Objective 8

Celandine Brandybuck is in the town square.

It appears Éogan was only wounded, and upon hearing Mundo's words, realized that Mundo was not the Baggins he sought. He made his escape, saying that Amdir may prove a great boon to his cause. With Archet apparently safe from the Blackwolds, you should speak to Celandine and see to her and Mundo's safety.

• Speak to Celandine Brandybuck

'Gracious me! I am deeply indebted to you for all that you've done here this day, friend. You've saved my life!

'I think it is safe to say Mundo and myself have had quite enough of the Chetwood, and that we'll be returning to the Shire. I think you should remain here and see to poor Amdir. He lies in the clutches of those Blackwolds, and I fear what will become of him.

'Now, all we can do is wait for the flames to die down. Then we should be safe!'

'We must leave this place so that the others may put out the fires.'

Objective 2

Jon Brackenbrook wishes to speak with you.

After the assault on Archet, Jon Brackenbrook returned to the town to assist and rebuild, taking up his father's legacy.'

• Speak with Jon Brackenbrook in Archet

'The loss of my father is a painful one, but my pais is no greater that any other here in Archet. The people of Archet regard you as a hero, and I agree with them, [your name]. Without your quick thinking we would have lost more lives.

'You were the one who faced down the man from the North and drove him and many of the Blackwolds from the woods surrounding our town. We owe you much.

'It is good to know that the grim dark growing across the land will have such fierce adversaries as yourself.'