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.
'There is a a slight depression in the centre of the heirloom, Player, but it has been worn smooth by the passage of Time and the edges are difficult to discover. Even so, I can feel enough of the indentation to state with certainty that it was once in the shape of a star with five points.
'To my mind, that marks this badge as having once belonged to a guard of High King Elendil, perhaps at Annúminas, the seat of his power in the North. Bring it to that city, and see if you can cleanse the corruption that now encircles it. Techeron of the Dúnedain has returned to Annúminas to keep the peace there, and may be able to help you.'0/1
1 Speak toTecheron (Show dialog)
'It is good to see you again, my friend! The life of a warden is never uneventful, for there are always good folk that need defending. How many minutes of celebration did we have before Aragorn began to worry that the folk of his kingdom were still not secure from threat? Two? Three?'
Techeron laughs.
'Ours is a life of service, Player, and I would have it no other way. I never had the patience for tending crops or raising animals, but I could stand in a spear-line opposed to evil for days without complaint. But what brings you hither?'
You show the corrupted badge to Techeron and he studies it closely.
'I have seen medals similar to this in the old city! They were worn by the soldiers of Elendil, and served as identification for his guards. But I cannot say that I have seen one exactly like this, for there are some curious markings beneath the depression, here. One unfamiliar with the workings of the soldiery could easily have missed it.
'Several of my fellow Rangers are on patrol throughout the city. Bring it to Línneth, Carastír, and Gwíniel in Annúminas, and see if the Steadfast Sisters have seen any badges identical to this.'0/1
2 Speak toLínneth (Show dialog)
'What have you brought to this city? I sensed its evil even before you approached!'
You show the corrupted badge to Línneth, and she scowls.
'This is the type of medal that was worn by defenders of this city at the height of its glory, but it has become encircled by darkness! That is a cruel hurt, but it is a common one in these days, where fell forces take things of beauty and nobility and bring them low. That it happens frequently makes it no less of an insult to me.
'If we could read these symbols, we might know where guards wearing this badge were stationed, but I am unable to make sense of them. Perhaps one of my sisters could tell you more? We pride ourselves on our patience, but that patience does not always extend to remaining in each other's company. You will find Carastír and Gwíniel elsewhere, but still in the city.'0/1
Special conditionCLEAR_CAMP0/1
3 Speak toGwíniel (Show dialog)
'We are well-met, Player. What brings you to the City of Kings?'
You show Gwíniel the corrupted badge and she crinkles her nose as if smelling a foul odour.
'This badge is held in the grip of a powerful evil, but I can recognize that it was once worn proudly by defenders of the High King in this very city! Did you show it to my sisters? I can imagine their responses. Mine, however, may be of a more practical bent.
'I cannot tell you where it might have been worn, but Annúminas has long had a problem with looters. If the defenders of the city cannot identify these markings, perhaps a tomb-robber can tell you where he has looted badges with similar markings. They have a camp on Rantost, an island in Lake Evendim, and may tell you what we cannot!'0/1
Special conditionKUNG_FU0/1
5 Speak toTecheron (Show dialog)
'You learned from the Steadfast Sisters that badges of that type were worn near the Bridge of Ariant? That is very near, Player!'
You tell Techeron that you obtained the information not from the Dúnedain, but from a brigand named Colm Fettering, who sought to kill you when he learned the badge might be valuable.
'That sadness is all too common these days, my friend. The badge is old, it is true, but I cannot say it has much value to any but the Dúnedain, or to scholars of history. What unhappy road led Colm Fettering to that end? Could he have turned aside? Sauron may be gone, but Colm Fettering was not guided by the hand of the Dark Lord, or by schemes hatched in the Dark Tower. He was a man only, and guided by the difficulties of the poor and the desperate.'
Techeron sighs.
'Speak to me when you are ready and we can walk to the Bridge of Ariant. Let us see if we can cleanse the corruption from that badge, at least. There will be bigger and more troubling challenges on the morrow, and they may be more difficult to fix.'0/1
Elrond's Gift