Mithrandir has studied the artifact that Ayorzén stole from the vault of Durthang, and believes that if it might be cleansed of its corruption it could be empowered with a force for Good.
'This is a sceptre from the Kingdom of Cardolan, of that I have little doubt. The Dúnedain of that land did not care for ornamentation, and this rod lacks the decorations I would expect from most other kingdoms. They fought long against the Witch-king, but he proved victorious, in the end. Perhaps that is when the sceptre was taken to Mordor, and it remained there during the long years since?
'The Eglain of the Lone-lands have often found similar artifacts from the three kingdoms. Go to Ost Guruth, the Ruin-hold in the Lone-lands, and ask Frideric the Elder what he can tell you about this heirloom.'0/1
1 Speak toFrideric the Elder (Show dialog)
'Welcome, Player. It has been many a day since you last came to the Ruin-hold! You must have learned much in your travels, and faced many dangers! What has turned your steps back to the humble home of the Eglain?'
You show the corrupted heirloom to Frideric, and he grimaces.
'I cannot explain why this sceptre fills me with such a feeling of unease, but I tell you that it does! What evils have this rod borne witness to? I do not wish to handle it overlong... aye, take it back, and I thank you.
'You say that it was a sceptre of Cardolan? I would have said it belonged to one of the three ancient kingdoms, it is true, but I do not know how you can be certain it was that one. Some of my people have found artifacts with similar markings as this on Weathertop, the great hill to the west. Indeed, some of the Eglain are there now, if you wish to show it to them and see if they know more. Cythred often spends time on that hill, seeking to solve the mysteries of the past.'0/1
Special conditionCLEAR_CAMP0/1
3 Speak toSéca (Show dialog)
'Thank you for putting an end to that creature and saving my friend! I will set aside for the moment that the presence of the cursed sceptre also drew that danger upon him in the first place.
'Cythred is older and wiser than I am, but once he gets an idea in his head he does not easily abandon it, despite new discoveries. That is not an artifact of Arthedain. Indeed, I think that the spirit it drew to us confirms my own suspicion. That sceptre has some tie to the Kingdom of Cardolan, which fell beneath the heel of Angmar long ago. You can still see their barrows if you travel south of Bree-town, but I do not recommend it.
'Most of the Eglain do not mingle with the settled folk to the west, but we scholars are a different sort and seek our kind among all peoples. That is why I advise that you travel not to the barrows, but to Bree-town itself. Seek out a man named Newbold Leafcutter at the Scholar's Stair Archives, and he may be able to tell you more about the sceptre than Cythred could.'0/1
4 Enter areaFind the Scholar's Stair Archives in Bree-town0/1
5 Speak toNewbold Leafcutter (Show dialog)
'Oh dear, Player, what is that? I can see that it is a ruling rod of some sort, a sceptre of Cardolan to my eye, but it is possessed of a sickness that fills me with uneasiness! For that reason I do not want to see it any nearer, but I am also tempted by the promise of historical knowledge. What to do? Ah, give it here, and may the learning be worth the risk!'
Newbold studies the markings near the clawed orb at the top of the sceptre, and his decision is rewarded.
'Ah, this sceptre is indeed an artifact of Cardolan, Player! I recognize this name here and this one. I do not know what they portend, but I do know a reference to Nogbenn when I see it! There is a barrow among the downs with the same name. I believe that if you bring this sceptre to that barrow, evils will be drawn to the corruption that surrounds it. Perhaps destroying those evils will cleanse the sceptre of its darkness! Me? Oh, I will not go. I do not have the fortitude to brave the barrows in such circumstances! That is a younger man's game!'0/1
Elrond's Gift