Having narrowly made it through Mirkwood, and discovering the true intent of the gathering orc army, the heroes had determined to travel south and warn Galadriel of the coming danger. The heroes slowly made their way to the Anduin, carefully avoiding contact with the enemy. The emissary who the heroes had escorted on the orders of Thranduil acted as their guide. Before their departure, the elvenking had told him the locations of several boats and rafts which the elves kept hidden along the Great River. What they would do once they found their mode of transport, however, was a matter of contention.

“If we can make it to the western bank without being detected,” the emissary argued, “we can safely make the journey south to Lorien on foot.”

The captain of the heroes disagreed. “Traveling by land will be too slow. We need to use the river itself to make it in time.”

“The river will leave us too exposed. Every orc this side of the Lonely Mountain will know where we are. We’ll all be killed within the first league.”

Another of the heroes spoke up. “If you’re afraid of traveling down the river, we can ferry you across so you can run along home.”

As the emissary began to defend his honor, the group reached the crest of the hill they were climbing. Down below them snaked the Anduin, and the sight of it silenced all argument. Slowly the group made its way down toward the river, relying on the emissary to guide them to the hidden raft.

“It seems the elves hide their watercraft well,” the captain observed. “If the orcs could have found it, they would have taken it for themselves.”

Suddenly, from behind a group of rocks, a massive hill troll emerged. Standing between the heroes and the raft, it roared at the heroes, causing them to instinctively step back.

“We must get to that raft” the captain said, unsheathing her weapon. “And I doubt the troll is willing to negotiate”

“I have treated with kings who were no less adversarial,” the emissary responded, following her lead and pulling out his sword. “But as diverting such an attempt would be, the beast’s roars will alert every orc in the area. We have no time to wait.”

With that, the heroes rushed the troll, ready to defeat the beast or die in the attempt.



Quest Stages

1A: Emerging from Mirkwood, you must make your way south to warn Galadriel of an imminent attack.

1B: As you approach the location of a small raft stashed on the riverbank, a fearsome Hill Troll emerges from behind a grouping of rocks, and attacks!

2A: After the battle with the troll, you no longer have the option of secrecy. You must take the raft down the Anduin as quickly as possible.

2B: As you raft down the river, the orcs follow along the shoreline. With your enemies harassing the raft, it is difficult to maintain balance and effectively fight them off.

3A: As soon as the raft hits the shore, you’re plunged into a fierce battle. Waves of orcs, trolls, and wargs rush to attack. If you survive this attack, the path to the Golden Wood should be open before you…



Do not read the following until the heroes have won this quest.

The fight on the shoreline was bloody and desperate. The heroes used all their strength and skill just to survive the mass of enemies which had gathered on their journey south. The heroes were surprised by the emissary’s skill with his blade, holding his own, and slaying several of their foes. Suddenly within the fray, he spotted the captain of the heroes alone, battling the orc chief along with two of his bodyguard. Before he could come to her aid however, the captain was struck down. At that moment, another orc rushed the emissary, and he was forced once more to turn all his attention to self preservation.

As the battle raged on, the heroes slowly gained the upper hand. Though initially outnumbered, the heroes now had slain enough to have equal numbers with the enemy. Realizing he no longer had enough nearby troops to stop the heroes, Chieftain Ufthak called his bodyguard back to him. The heroes could do nothing but watch as their captain was dragged away as Uftak retreated, buying himself time to escape with the lives of his soldiers.

No sooner had the heroes dispatched the last orc than they began pursue Ufthak. Yet the emissary remained at the riverbank.

“We must pursue them and rescue her!” one of the heroes called back, while scrambling up the embankment.

“We cannot abandon the mission,” the emissary told them as he pulled their supplies off the raft. “And even if we left now, we are in no condition for a rescue.”

“They will take her to Dol Guldur!” The hero protested. “We cannot abandon her to torment and death.”

“We will return for her. But if we do not warn Galadriel, all of this will have been for nothing.”

Reluctantly, the other heroes agreed, and they set off for Lórien.

Hours later, the small group was brought before Galadriel and Celeborn, where they thanked the heroes for informing them of the potential attack. The elves had mobilized all their soldiers, who were now at the edges of the forest, preparing to defend their ancient realm, though their scouts had not yet reported any sign of the orc army.

The heroes were then sent to the care of elvish healers, where they began to recover from the many wounds they had suffered on the journey. It was there they heard the news which had raced through the forest. Smoke could be seen from the forest. The scouts reported an approaching army. War had come to Lórien.

