Outfitting the Defenders

Bestowal dialogue

'Goblins infest the narrow reaches of Rath Teraig, and stout-hearted dwarves keep the southern barricade against them. Their armour will fail before their spirits do, <name>, so we must do for them what we can!

'If you can ask a metalsmith to fashion bronze gloves and a bronze helm, then bring them to me, I will see that the staunch defenders of the barricade receive them.

'You will be paid for your trouble, of course, in coin and other small things, though given the importance of this task no one would presume to ask for payment.'

Background

Efi Plateshaper is eager to outfit the dwarves guarding the barricade to Rath Teraig and asked for your help collecting the necessary pieces of armour.

Objective 1

• Collect Bronze Gloves
• Collect Bronze Helm

Efi Plateshaper is at Gondamon, in the Low-lands of Ered Luin.

Efi Plateshaper asked you to bring him bronze gloves and a bronze helm with which he can outfit the defenders of the barricade at Rath Teraig.

Collected bronze gloves

Collected bronze helm

• Bring Bronze Gloves and a Bronze Helm to Efi Plateshaper

Efi Plateshaper: 'Thank you for these, <name>. Take these coins and other items. I insist, even though the knowledge of the good you are doing for the defenders should be enough.'

Leggings for Gagi

Bestowal dialogue

'I don't know what the problem is, stranger. My father was a metalworker, and my father's father was a metalworker, but I do not seem to have inherited their skill with hammer and anvil. I do not know where it could have gone, for I have no brothers, but that skill certainly has avoided me!

'You see, I decided it was time to make a new pair of bronze leggings for myself, but I did something wrong with the heat of the fire and my hammer-blows and ended up with something more akin to a belt. A belt fused in on itself, with something like a sleeve on one end. I can't wear that! And I wouldn't wear it even if I could figure out how exactly to try it on!

'If you know a metalworker of even small skill, I'll pay you for some bronze leggings. I'll give you my leftover materials as well! And don't tell anyone about my...mishap...if you don't mind.'

Background

Gagi Cloudbrow tried to make himself some bronze leggings, but the event has been described as something of a disaster.

Objective 1

• Collect bronze leggings
• Bring bronze leggings to Gagi Cloudbrow

Gagi Cloudbrow is west of Frerin's Court.

Gagi Cloudbrow has asked you to procure for him some bronze leggings, because the pair he tried to make for himself turned out poorly, and in no way resembled the leggings for which he was trying.

'These will do very well, <name>! I don't understand how mine could have turned out so very differently, because they seem easy enough to make. I just don't understand.

'Here are the coins and materials I promised you. Take with them my thanks!'

Pipe-weed Delivery

Bestowal dialogue

'There's a pair of fine gentlemen, Mr. Larkspur and Mr. Hawkling, what have taken up residence at Adso Haybank's camp, along the Great East Road north of the Old Forest.

'Yes, sir, fine gentlemen indeed! Hunters of game, great and small. Last time they were through here, Mr. Hawkling asked me to procure them a bit of pipe-weed.

'If you'd be so kind, deliver this cask to them with all due haste. I'm sure Mr. Hawkling will tip you if you're quick about it.'

Background

Bruner Stoutthrush, a merchant in Bree, has asked you to deliver an order to two of his customers.

Objective 1

• Bring the pipe-weed to Roger Hawkling

Roger Hawkling can be found at Adso Haybank's camp along the Great East Road, west of Bree, north of the Old Forest.

Stoutthrush wants you to bring the cask of pipe-weed to Roger Hawkling.

Collected the Barrel of Staddle Pipe-weed

Roger Hawkling: 'So, that ill-favoured fellow, Stoutthrush, finally came through with our pipe-weed. Looks like I owe you for that wager, Larkspur!'

To a Ranger's Aid

Bestowal dialogue

"Amdir, quickly falling into the shadows of the wraith-world, has slain two of his brethren already and seeks the blood of a third...."

Background

Upon entering the Mustering Cave, you found that you were too late to help the Ranger Mundol. Amdir had mortally wounded him. Mundol asked that you carry a warning to Reniolind, a young Ranger scholar who is studying the ruins of the old Marshwater Fort.

Objective 1

• Talk to Reniolind

Reniolind is somewhere within the Marshwater Fort, west of the Mustering Cave.

With his dying breath, the Ranger Mundol begged you to save Reniolind, another of his kindred, from Amdir's murderous rampage.

Reniolind: 'Toradan and Mundol have both perished? This is almost beyond belief! I was sent here to keep watch after the Nazgûl drove us from the Shire, but now it appears my watch has been for naught.

'We must go at once to the chieftain of my kindred. The Bree-men call him Strider.

'There is a quicker path than the one you took back to the safety of Bree. Follow me, and I will lead you through the caves beneath the Marshes.'

• Escort Reniolind through the caves

Reniolind says, "This way! Hurry!"

Reniolind says, "Did the water stifle these flames?"

Reniolind says, "These torches always seem to fail..."

Reniolind says, "I lit these torches just yesterday."

Reniolind says, "Let me see to this darkness before us..."

Reniolind says, "Did you hear something?"

Reniolind says, "Amdir!"

Reniolind says, "Amdir, my friend. I know it is not really you that does these things..."

Amdir says, "I am not what you once believed..."

Reniolind says, "Yes... yes, you are."

Reniolind says, "Let me help you..."

Amdir says, "Never!"

Reniolind says, "No..."

Objective 2

• Defeat Amdir

Amdir was hiding in the deepest depths of the ruins and struck down Reniolind, then turned his attention to you.

Amdir says, "Morin will deal with you!"

Objective 3

• Defeat Morin

Amdir called forth a giant spider-queen before fleeing. Kill the spider and speak with the dying Ranger.

Defeated Morin

Objective 4

• Talk to Reniolind

Reniolind lies dying on the floor of the caves.

Reniolind has shown you a secret path under the Midgewater Marshes in the caves beneath the ruins. At the end, you found Amdir waiting. Amdir mortally wounded Reniolind, then fled. The dying Ranger wishes to speak with you.

Reniolind: 'Amdir is running...free! Go at once...find Strider in Bree. He is...my chieftain and should be...made aware of all that has...happened. Talk to Barliman Butterbur...at the Prancing Pony. He will know...where Aragorn is.

'Take the door...from this room and you...will find yourself on the...western edge of the Midgewater...Marshes. Go west...from there, then south and west...along the road to Bree.'

To a Ranger's Aid

Bestowal dialogue

'Please...there is but one last of my kin in the Midgewater Marshes. Reniolind is his name. A young scholar of my kind. He was not here when Amdir came and may yet be alive.

'Go to him quickly. He had gone to study the ruins of the old Marshwater Fort at the centre of the Marshes. You must tell him...warn him...to beware Amdir's scream!'

Background

When you entered the Mustering Cave, you found you were too late to help Mundol. Amdir had already come and mortally wounded him.

Objective 1

• Enter the ruins of the old Marshwater Fort

Reniolind can be found in the old Marshwater Fort, which lies at the centre of the Midgewater Marshes, west of the Mustering Cave.

Mundol asked that you warn the last of the Rangers in the Midgewater Marshes, Reniolind, a young scholar, of Amdir's betrayal.

Mundol: 'It is too…late for me. The wounds are mortal. Even now I…can feel my life slipping away….

'Hurry…warn Reniolind! he should be in the ruins of the…old Marshwater Fort at the centre…of the Midgewater Marshes!'

Complete the Instance: To a Ranger's Aid quest.

You have unlocked the movie 'The Hobbits Leave the Shire'.

Objective 2

• Talk to Barliman Butterbur

Barliman Butterbur can be found in the common room of The Prancing Pony Inn in Bree-town.

With Reniolind's dying breaths, he asked you to find his chieftain, Strider. He instructed you to speak with Barliman Butterbur, the proprietor of The Prancing Pony Inn in Bree, to learn where Strider may be found.

Barliman Butterbur: 'Well now, what is it I can do for you today?'

Chasing Amdir

Bestowal dialogue

'Poor Toradan. If his words are true, his kinsmen are in great danger! This Mundol he spoke of before he passed must be warned!

'Now, I don't know exactly where this Mustering Cave is, but if Toradan warned Constable Tanglerush, then Tanglerush must know its location.

'Tanglerush is a Constable in Staddle, down the road south of Combe. You will likely find her loitering about town centre. Quickly, you must find her.'

Background

You found Amdir -- or at least the wraith that was once Amdir -- imprisoned in the dungeons of the Blackwolds' hideout. Amdir escaped and is now stalking the Rangers in Bree-land.

Objective 1

• Talk to Constable Tanglerush

Constable Tanglerush is in Staddle town centre, south of Combe.

As his last act, Toradan sent you to tell Constable Underhill of a message he sent to Constable Tanglerush regarding the danger Amdir might pose to his kinsmen. Underhill told you to go to Tanglerush and make certain she passed the message to Mundol.

Constable Underhill: 'The Big Folk that keep watch in Staddle may know where the mustering cave is. Go and find Constable Tanglerush.'

Constable Tanglerush: 'Ho there, what cause have you to be running around like that? Toradan is dead? That can't be...I saw him not too long ago. He had me deliver a message to his kinsman at the cave across the Midgewater Marshes. When I went to deliver the message I found the cave empty.

'I'm on duty now, or I'd make the journey across the Marshes myself. Maybe you'd go instead?

'Follow the road out of Staddle to the east, down the slope leading into the Marshes. Cross straight through, but be careful. The Midgewater Marshes have become a dangerous place of late. Do your best to steer clear of the Marshwater Fort at the heart of the Marshes, though. The cave is set at the foot of a tall hill near the entrance to the Midgewater Pass.'

Objective 2

• Talk to Mundol

Mundol is hiding at a place called the Mustering Cave on the far east side of the Midgewater Marshes, near the Midgewater Pass.

Constable Tanglerush did not find Mundol within the cave when she attempted to deliver her warning. Perhaps it is not too late to warn Mundol.

Constable Tanglerush: 'Make haste! Mundol must be warned before it is too late.'

Mundol: 'Delay not! It is too late for me. Amdir...Amdir arrived ahead of you. He must be stopped. The Nine must not take him....

The Hideout

"The hunt for Amdir leads to the hideout of the brigand Skunkwood, but to what end is unknown...."

Background

Toradan sent you to Skunkwood's hideout to rescue Amdir and put an end to the Blackwolds' mischief.

Objective 1

• Speak to the Blackwold guard

Speak to the Blackwold guard. If your ruse is successful, he should give you access to the hideout.

Toradan sent you to Skunkwood's hideout to rescue Amdir and put an end to the Blackwolds' mischief.

Blackwold Guard: The Blackwold guard stares up at you from beneath a furrowed brow. He spits onto the ground and studies your face for a few seconds before giving you a wry and sinister smile.

Blackwold Guard says, "You must be the new blood Ellie was talking about."

Blackwold Guard says, "You'll find Skunkwood in the back."

Objective 2

• Talk to William Skunkwood

Skunkwood resides somewhere within the hideout.

You have tricked your way into the Blackwolds' hideout. Now you must find Skunkwood and speak with him to learn the whereabouts of Amdir.

William Skunkwood: 'Ah, so you're the one I've heard so much about from Ellie. We lost a lot of good men in Archet, and I'll be glad to have you in the fold.

'You say you've heard about that Ranger? I have to tell you, what is happening to that fellow is plain unnatural. Éogan tells me he'll be a great boon to us, but for now he's just a raving madman.

'I don't mind letting you go take a peek in on him. He's down in the dungeon at the far end of the caverns. My man there will let you pass.'

Objective 3

• Search for Amdir

Amdir lies in the dungeons at the far end of the Blackwold hideout.

Skunkwood told you that Amdir was locked away and that what as happening to him seemed unnatural. You should find Amdir quickly.

Blackwold Ruffian says, "Skunkwood says it's all right. I'll let you pass."

Blackwold Ruffian says, "I'd be careful though, that Amdir's a dangerous one."

Objective 4

• Talk to Amdir

You have discovered Amdir and found that he has partially transformed into a wraith. He stopped raving at the sight of you, so perhaps there is still some hope for him.

Amdir says, "Make it stop! Make it stop!"

Amdir says, "You...I know you...."

Amdir: 'The wound...it is so cold...

'The voice...the voice speaks to me. Commands me. Tells me things. Tells me about the end of all things...the beginning of new things. It calls me...it calls me to service...

'I must do what it says...must follow... I serve...I must serve the Dark Lord...'

Amdir says, "The voice...make it stop!"

Amdir says, "No...no...no..."

Amdir says, "NO!'

Amdir says, "Escape...I must ...."

Objective 5

• Speak with the old prisoner

An old woman in the back of the cell that held Amdir called to you for help. You should help her escape.

Whatever is happening to Amdir, it has driven him completely mad, and he is far more powerful than he first seemed. His deafening scream momentarily stunned you and threw open his cell door.

Sara Oakheart says, "Come here, quickly!"

Sara Oakheart says, "Help me! Please!"

Sara Oakheart: 'Oh, thank you for coming to save me, young one! I have been held captive here for a long time! I have seen many things, and if you would be so kind as to help me out of this dungeon, I would be able to tell you a bit of what happened to your friend Amdir.'

Objective 6

• Help Sara Oakheart out of the cave

Sara Oakheart says, "It will be good to see the sky again! Let us get going, shall we?"

Sara Oakheart says, "They took something very important from me, friend: my stick! I need to go get it!"

Sara Oakheart says, "There's the chest they put it in!"

Sara Oakheart says, "My stick. I would be lost without it."

William Skunkwood says, "Traitor! You freed the prisoners!"

William Skunkwood says, "Kill them!"

Objective 7

• Aid Toradan

Try to help Toradan defeat Amdir.

As neared the entrance of the Blackwold Hideout, you encountered Toradan and Amdir.

Sara Oakheart says, "Goodness, it sounds like there's trouble ahead!"

You have safely escorted Sara Oakheart

Toradan says, "Amdir!"

Toradan says, "By the Valar! It is too late!"

Amdir says, "...the void..."

Amdir says, "The morgul-blade...the voice...the Eye...."

Toradan says, "All of you! Stay back! It is too late for him!"

Toradan says, "I am sorry, my friend, but I must end this...."

Amdir says, "...end this? Kill me?"

Amdir says, "Is this the compassion of the Dúnedain?"

Amdir says, "The voice...the voice told the truth!"

Amdir says, "I shall end you, Toradan, my brother..."

Toradan says, "AAAH!"

Amdir says, "...and every other Ranger as well!"

Toradan says, "Uhhh...."

Objective 8

• Speak to Toradan

After helping Sara Oakheart out of the Blackwold hideout, Toradan entered and saw what had become of Amdir. Seeing his kinsman too far gone to help, Toradan attempted to slay him, but was instead himself stricken down.

You should speak with Toradan before he perishes.

Toradan: Toradan coughs up blood. 'Amdir is...beyond saving now. You must warn...my kindred....

'Mundol is in the Mustering Cave of the Rangers. He...help him....

'Go to Underhill...ask him if...if Tanglerush delivered my message...'

Objective 9

• Speak to Sara Oakheart

Toradan spoke about Amdir trying to kill the other Rangers and asked you to speak with Constable Underhill about a message he sent to someone named Tanglerush.

Before leaving the hideout, however, you should speak to Sara Oakheart again to see if she needs any further help.

Sara Oakheart: 'Goodness me, what a terrible sight for these old eyes! The blade that stung Amdir has done it's work, and I fear he's nothing more than a servant of the Enemy now. You should try and stop him, if you can.

'And don't worry about me. Now that I'm free of that awful cell, I'll be fine. And I've gotten my stick back. Don't know what I'd done without it.'

Sara Oakheart says, "You have done me a great service this day."

The Hideout

Bestowal dialogue

'Ye've done all that was asked of ye, and done a good job o' it too, so I suppose it's time to show ye where to find Skunkwood. He's second under Éogan, one o' the strange men that I mentioned. Skunkwood handed the Blackwolds over to them a short time ago, that's when bad changes started taking place around here.

'Skunkwood's used me, and a lot o' other good folk here in Combe. Everything ye've seen so far in the Chetwood should prove that to you. We've risked a lot to have a chance to stop the Blackwolds once and for all, <name>. It is time we finish this.

'The hideout is located at the foot of the Staddle Falls at the north-west end of Staddle Pond. You'll be welcomed inside. Maybe you'd best go talk to that fellow what you're working for first though.'

Background

Ellie Cutleaf has arranged a meeting with Skunkwood and offered to lead you to the Blackwold's hideout.

Objective 1

• Talk to Toradan

Toradan is in his room up the stairs across the common room in The Comb and Wattle Inn, south-east of Ellie Cutleaf's house.

Ellie provided you with directions to the Blackwold hideout and assured you that you would be welcomed within. She also mentioned that Éogan and Skunkwood discussed the recent capture of Amdir. She suggested you speak with Toradan before continuing to the hideout.

Ellie Cutleaf: 'What are ye doing here? Time is of the essence…Skunkwood is waiting, and if news of Jagger Jack reaches him before ye arrive, he might become suspicious.'

Constable Underhill: 'So, if Ellie is to be trusted,the Blackwold hideout is at the base of the cliff near the Staddle Falls, south of the Combe guard-house! You should take this news to Toradan!'

Toradan: 'You have returned and with news of the Blackwold leaders. You have done well. Now is the time to move against Skunkwood and Éogan.

'You should make your way to this hideout of theirs and speak to Skunkwood. Once there, tell him that you heard rumour about the prisoner they took from Archet and would like to see if the tales about him are true.

'Once you make your way to Amdir, free him and make your escape. I will follow you to the hideout and aid you. Hurry now!'

Objective 2

• Enter the Blackwold's hideout

The entrance to the Blackwolds' hideout is next to the bottom of Staddle Falls, at the north-east end of the Staddle Pond, south of the guard-house.

Toradan told you to enter the Blackwolds' hideout and speak to Skunkwood. Once you learn the location of Amdir, you are to free him and help him escape.

Toradan: 'Hurry to the Blackwolds' hideout, <name>. You need to find Amdir and release him. I will follow after!'

Constable Underhill: 'Toradan's plan is a bold one, but it might succeed. You should make your way to the Blackwold's hideout and see if you cna find were they are holding your frend Amdir. I'd be quick about it too!'

Objective 3

• Talk to Constable Underhill

Constable Underhill is in Combe centre, near The Comb and Wattle Inn.

Toradan's plan to free Amdir came to a shocking end, as Amdir was driven insane by his morgul-wound and slew Toradan. Amdir now seems bent on destroying all the Rangers. Constable Underhill must know of this development.

Constable Underhill: 'Toradan...slain by Amdir? How is that possible?

'Seek out Constable Tanglerush immediately. If Toradan's warning does not reach his kin, who is to know what devilry will ensue.

'Quickly now!'

A Critical Strike

Bestowal dialogue

'If I'm to help ye, then ye've got to trust me. We need to deal with the wolves and their keeper, Jagger Jack. Jack spends his time talking to those strange, dark-skinned Men within the ruins occupied by the Blackwolds.

'Find him and kill him, else he'll keep breeding his wolves with the Warg. While ye search for Jack at the camp, look for corpses o' dead beasts: sheep, cattle, even deer. It's likely the poor creatures are the food for the wolves. Use the poison on the corpses, and we may well kill off a good number of Jack's beasts.

'While you deal with Jack and the wolves, I'll talk to Skunkwood and others about a "new recruit" I've found. I might be able to get you into Skunkwood's hideout.'

Background

Ellie believes that you can score a telling blow against the Blackwolds and their masters in the northern Chetwood. Armed with a poison provided by Leecher Cartwell, she sends you to the Blackwold camp in the Chetwood to deal with their wolf-keeper, Jagger Jack, and the fell offspring of the Warg.

Objective 1

• Defeat Jagger Jack
• Poison wolf food-sources (0/6)

Jagger Jack and the animal corpses will be in the Blackwold ruins in the north Chetwood, north of the guard-house, east of Combe.

Ellie told you to find Jagger Jack and poison the wolves' food source, while she tries to arrange a meeting with Skunkwood, the Blackwolds' leader, for you.

Ellie Cutleaf: 'Quickly now, head into the Chetwood and find the Blackwold's encampment within the ruins inthe north-west Chetwood. Be careful…there is evil brewing there that may shake your very bones.

'While you are dealing with Jagger Jack and the wolves, I'll talk to Skunkwood and find a way to get you into their hideout.'

Constable Underhill: 'If Ellie is right and this wolf-keeper will continue to breed wolves and Wargs, then we should do everything we can to put a stop to it.

'Do as she asks and seek out this Jagger jack at the Blackwold encampment in the north-west Chetwood.'

Defeated Jagger Jack

Objective 2

• Speak with Ellie Cutleaf in Combe

Ellie Cutleaf's house is in the north-west corner of Combe, on the banks of the pond.

You should return to Ellie Cutleaf with word of your victory against Jagger Jack and to learn if she has arranged a meeting with Skunkwood at the Blackwold hideout.

Ellie Cutleaf: 'If ye've been to those ruins, then ye know now about the evil spreading through the Blackwolds. I was able to meet with Skunkwood, though he was talking to one o' them strange men. He mentioned someone named Amdir.

'Skunkwood said that he would meet with ye, but you'll need to be quick. Once Jagger's death is discovered, Skunkwood will become suspicious.'

Greater Responsibility

Bestowal dialogue

'When Skunkwood took me to the Blackwold's encampment in the Chetwood, I met Jagger Jack. Jack is training the wolves for the Blackwolds. He keeps most o' them deep in the ruins in the north parts of the woods.

'If we're going to put a stop to the Blackwolds, then we may need to do a little mischief o' our own. I'm not wont to do this, mind you, but we need to stop them wolves before they're used against Combe.

'Leecher Cartwell can help us and will. Talk to him at his house, up on the cliff south of Combe centre. Tell him that I need a poison to kill the wolves.'

Background

According to Ellie, someone named Jagger Jack trains the wolves deep within the Blackwold Hideout. She met him when she was brought there and felt very ill at ease in the area.

Objective 1

• Talk to Leecher Cartwell

Leecher Cartwell's house overlooks Combe on the road south towards Bree.

Ellie Cutleaf has instructed you to acquire some poison from Cartwell, the local leech, to use against the Jagger Jack's wolves.

Leecher Cartwell: 'Ellie got herself in trouble, did she? I've been near the wood of late to gather herbs and such. Something has the animals there stirred up, for certain.

'If this will help make things right between Ellie and the Combe-folk, I will help. I think I know just the thing. I'll need fresh honey, blackwort root, and several red berries.

'There are beehives behind the abandoned house, south of Combe. The berries grow in patches in a valley just over the hill behind the house. Blackwort root is found near the wolf-den in the north Chetwood.'

Objective 2

• Collect honey
• Collect blackwort roots (0/7)
• Collect red berries (0/8)

There are beehives behind the abandoned house south of Combe. Red berries grow in patches in the valley behind the house. Blackwort root grows near a wolf-den north-east of the Combe lumber camp.

Leecher Cartwell has agreed to make the poison Ellie requested, but needs your assistance gathering the ingredients.

Leecher Cartwell: 'Fresh honey, blackwort root, and red berries. That is all I need to make the poison.'

Objective 3

• Bring the honey, blackwort roots, and red berries to Leecher Cartwell

Cartwell's house is on a low cliff in the south-west corner of Combe.

Your search for Cartwell's herbs and honey took you into danger, but your efforts were fruitful. You should return at once to Cartwell with the ingredients.

Constable Underhill: 'Better we don't speak too often. If Ellie is found to be working with us, we may endanger her. I'd rather not see her harmed if she truly wishes to make amends.'

Ellie Cutleaf: 'What are ye doing here, hanging about? Please hurry!'

Leecher Cartwell: 'Ah! There you are, it will be just a moment, and I'll have the poison for you...

'Be careful with this. It'll not hurt you or I, nor even the little folk -- except perhaps to make us mildly ill -- but the normal woodland creatures would suffer terribly if you don't use caution.

'You should return to Ellie and let her know that the poison is ready.'

Collected Cartwell's Poison

Objective 4

• Return to Ellie Cutleaf in Combe

Ellie Cutleaf's home is in the north-west corner of Combe, on the banks of the pond.

After a short distilling process, Cartwell handed you a sweet-smelling phial. He assured you that the poison would kill the wolves threatening the Chetwood and the inhabitants of Combe, then sent you back to Ellie Cutleaf.

Leecher Cartwell: 'Take the poison to Ellie. Tell her that I truly hope she finds her eay through this. She is a good woman but sometimes easily misled.'

Constable Underhill: 'Better we don't speak too often. If Ellie is found to be working with us, we may endanger her. I'd rather not see her harmed if she truly wishes to make amends.'

Ellie Cutleaf: 'You have the poison from Cartwell?

'I trust Cartwell. Now that we have the poison, we may be ready to strike at the Blackwolds in their Chetwood home.'

Cutleaf's Good Intentions

Bestowal dialogue

'Now here's an idea. Ellie is looking for new blood, so why not help her out? You could mask yourself as a ruffian and offer to join the Blackwolds. Gain her confidence, and we might find out where the Blackwold leaders are hiding! Of course, it would be dangerous! Do you think you're up to the task?

'Ellie's house is in the north-west corner of town, by the pond. There are some large cages nearby -- she breeds dogs, I think.

'Go and speak with her...and remember, you're a brigand!'

Background

Ellie Cutleaf, a resident of Combe, is mentioned by name in the letter you found in the Blackwold recruit's pack.

Objective 1

• Talk to Ellie Cutleaf

Ellie Cutleaf's house lies in the north-west corner of Combe, on the banks of the pond.

After discovering the identity of the Blackwold agent, Constable Underhill asked you to enter the ranks of the Blackwolds by speaking with Ellie Cutleaf and doing whatever she asks of you.

Ellie Cutleaf: 'Not another one! I'd thought I'd gotten all o' those letters back. You'd be better served just going home. You don't want to join up with the Blackwolds.

'I listened to Skunkwood, their leader, and helped them breed some wolves. I admit, I did it for the promise o' riches, but I regret it. Jagger Jack is their real wolf-master, and he had me breed a local wolf with one o' them Wargs. When they took me into their camp, deep within the Chetwood, I got afeared right quick. There's something not right there. I've done something terrible, <name>, and I need help getting out.

'The den-mother I helped them breed is kept at Skunkwood's farm in the north Chetwood. She needs to be killed before her next litter is born, else her pups'll do worse damage to the Chetwood and the folk here.'

Objective 2

• Defeat Skunkwood's den-mother

Skunkwood's farm can be found by following the road east up the hill and then north into the Chetwood. Follow the road east through the woods and towards the northern end of the Midgewater Marshes.

Constable Underhill ordered you to try and insinuate yourself into the Blackwolds' good graces by doing tasks for their agent, Ellie Cutleaf. However, Ellie admitted her involvement and her desire to leave that part of her life behind. She has asked you for help righting her wrongs.

Defeated Skunkwood's den-mother

Objective 3

• Talk to Ellie Cutleaf

Ellie Cutleaf's house lies in the north-west corner of Combe, on the banks of the pond.

Ellie Cutleaf asked you to slay the den-mother she bred with a Warg for Jagger Jack, the wolf-keeper of the Blackwolds. You should return to her with news of your success.

Constable Underhill: 'Ellie wants out does she? We may be able to help her then. if she's willing to help us defeat the Blackwolds, then I see no reason not to help her.

'Just remember, <name>, she once worked with the Blackwolds.'

Ellie Cutleaf: 'I'm glad that you were able to defeat the Den-mother before she bore any more of those half-Wargs.

'Now there's just Skunkwood to deal with. He spends most of his time in the Blackwold hideout these days. There are dark-skinned men who sometimes attend him, clearly not from these parts, and that Jagger Jack fellow.'