The Threat of Fire

Bestowal dialogue

'The increasing number of goblins in the Midgewater Marshes troubles me, true, but I am even more concerned about the weapons some of them appear to be wielding. Swords and axes are bad enough, but the strange oil some of these goblins carry have the potential to do much greater damage.

'I am not thinking only of the farms and crops of Staddle, though the threat of fire to food and pipe-weed is immense. I am thinking of the Little Folk. This is a threat beyond them, I think.

'The more of those fire-wielding goblins we can defeat in the Marshes, the fewer will remain to threaten Staddle. I need you to deal with them, and quickly.'

Background

The burning oil carried by the goblin-sappers that have crept into the Midgewater Marshes are particularly worrisome to Bill Mossfoot, charged with the defence of Staddle.

Objective 1

• Defeat Midgewater Sappers in the Midgewater Marshes (0/8)

Goblin Sappers have infiltrated the southern expanse of the Midgewater Marshes.

Bill Mossfoot has tasked you with defeating the Midgewater Sappers before they can bring their deadly burning oil to Staddle.

Bill Mossfoot: 'From your report, it sounds like there are many goblin-sappers in the southern stretch of the Midgewater Marshes. Keep a wary eye out for the guttering of flame in the mist, and you are sure to find them.'

Objective 2

• Talk to Bill Mossfoot

Bill Mossfoot is at his camp in the Midgewater Marsh to the south-east of the Midgewater Ruins.

News of your success against the goblin-sappers should relieve Bill Mossfoot of some of his worries.

Bill Mossfoot: 'You have dealt with those goblins? Well done, <name>.

'The goblins in the Marshes are still a threat, but now they should be easier to deal with. You have my thanks, <name>, and now you have some more coin for your trouble!'

Report From Staddle

Bestowal dialogue

'You see the watchers and I have been stationed in Staddle for only a short time to see to the defence of the Little Folk here. What with all the trouble we've heard Archet and Combe having, it seemed a wise thing to defend Staddle, especially since its crops feed much of Bree-land!

'My superior, Second-watcher Heathstraw, should know of our victories and that Staddle appears to be safe, at least for the moment. I dare not leave my post, though, so could I ask you to bring my report on to Second-watcher Heathstraw in Bree-town? He will probably be near the Boar Fountain. Just head north up the road towards Combe and turn left at the signpost.'

Background

Watcher Redweed would like word of your victory against the goblins carried to Second-watcher Heathstraw of Bree.

Objective 1

• Bring Redweed's report to Second-watcher Heathstraw

Second-watcher Heathstraw is at the Boar Fountain in Bree, north and west of Staddle.

Watcher Redweed has asked you to deliver his message to Second-watcher Heathstraw.

Watcher Redweed: 'Second-watcher Heathstraw should be at the Boar Fountain in Bree-town, a short way north and west up the road. He needs to see my report sooner rather than later.'

Second-watcher Heathstraw: 'You bring word from the watchers in Staddle? Very good, very good. I'll take a look at that report, if you please.

'Ah, you bring good tidings! Goblins were a most unexpected threat, but it seems you dealt with them most expediently. And a good thing too...my men are spread too thinly to defend against all the dangers that have been rising up lately.

'You have my thanks again. Perhaps you may find work here in Bree as well.'

Two Chieftains

Bestowal dialogue

'We might be close to dealing the goblins a decisive blow, <name>. The only thing keeping them from fighting amongst themselves are their loyalty to the two chieftains that are rumoured to lead them: Gurzstâz and Gurzrum.

'If you were to slay these two chieftains, I think the goblins would fall to squabbling among themselves. Such squabbling will leave them unable to mount an attack on Staddle.

'The two chieftains will be fairly close together somewhere in the Goblinhole Ruins so that each of them can keep an eye on the other. You may need to gather help...those chieftains will be the strongest of the lot!'

Background

Watcher Redweed believes that you are close to dealing the goblins in the Midgewater Marshes a decisive blow.

Objective 1

• Defeat Gurzstâz
• Defeat Gurzrum

The two chieftains, Gurzstâz and Gurzrum, are likely to be found in the Goblinhole Ruins in the southern stretch of the Midgewater Marshes.

Bill Mossfoot believes that slaying the goblin-chieftains will drive the rest away.

Bill Mossfoot: 'The two goblin-chieftains, Gurzstâz and Gurzrum, are sure to be near each other in order to ensure neither of them is scheming against the other. Their camp is among the Goblinhole Ruins in the southern stretch of the Midgewater Marshes.'

Defeated Gurstâz

Defeated Gurzrum

Objective 2

• Talk to Bill Mossfoot

Bill Mossfoot is at the camp in the Midgewater Marsh, south-east of the Midgewater Ruins.

Bill Mossfoot will be pleased to hear of your success with the two goblin-chieftans he asked you to dispatch.

Bill Mossfoot: 'Well done, <name>. With these two dealt with, I think our immediate concerns for Staddle will be closed.

'Return to Watcher Redweed in Staddle and tell him of your success here.'

Objective 3

• Talk to Watcher Redweed in Staddle

Watcher Redweed is in Staddle town centre.

The defeat of the goblin-chieftains in the Midgewater Marshes should be a great relief to Watcher Redweed..

Watcher Redweed: 'You have done very well, <name>, very well indeed! I reckon the goblins will be unable to mount an organized attack on the town without the leadership of those goblin-cheiftains!

'You have performed a great service for both Men and hobbits, <name>, and I'm sure the town of Staddle is in your debt. Now, Bree must know of our -- well I suppose it really is your -- great victory!'

Scouting the Marshes

Bestowal dialogue

'Ah, I'm glad to see you! There are goblins in the Midgewater Marshes -- or so it has been told -- and if that is the case, we need to know how many we're dealing with.

'There are two sets of ruins in the southern expanse of the Marshes. I would ask you to go to these ruins and defeat any goblins you find. If there are goblins near both ruins, we'll have a better idea of how far they've spread.

'The first set of ruins are found south-east of Eldo Swatmidge's farm, east of Staddle. South of his home is a narrow stretch of land that extends into the Marshes and runs right to the Sunken Stones. The Goblinhole Ruins are far to the east and south of those.'

'When you are done, check in with Bill Mossfoot. He and another member of the Watch have taken up station out in the eastern marshes, just to the south-east of the Midgewater Ruins.'

Background

Watcher Redweed has asked for your help dealing with goblins that have taken up residence in the Midgewater Marshes.

Objective 1

• Defeat goblins at the Sunken Stones (0/3)
• Defeat goblins at the Goblinhole Ruins (0/3)

The Sunken Stones are located south-east of Eldo Swatmidge's farm, east of Staddle. The Goblinhole Ruins are far to the east and south of the Sunken Stones.

Watcher Redweed wants you to visit two ruins in the southern Midgewater Marshes and defeat goblins at each location to assess the threat the goblins pose to Staddle's well-being.

Watcher Redweed: 'If you find goblins at each of the two sets of ruins in the southern Marshs, we will know the goblin-presence is widespread, and a very real threat. Take the east path from the town square until you arrive at the Widow Foghorn's farm, then follow the line of fences north a short way. Swatmidge's farm is down the hill to the east, within view of the Midgewater Marsh.

'South of his farm, a strip of land extends into the bog and runs right to the first set of ruins. The second set is far to the east and south of those.'

Objective 2

• Talk to Bill Mossfoot

The Sunken Stones are located south-east of Eldo Swatmidge's farm, east of Staddle. The Goblinhole Ruins are far to the east and south of the Sunken Stones.

Watcher Redweed wants you to visit two ruins in the southern Midgewater Marshes and defeat goblins at each location to assess the threat the goblins pose to Staddle's well-being.

Bill Mossfoot: 'It's as I feared, <name>. If the goblins have already spread so far throughout the Midgewater Marshes, they intend to stay.

'If it were not for the spider infestation at the ruins in the northern stretch of the Marshes, I would expect the goblins to seize those as well!'