Aberthol told you of his encounter with the dark riders that passed through Herne, and of the fear that has remained upon the town ever since. Can anything be done to save Herne?
'Do you know what they were, friends? Has anything of this sort been seen in Gondor or in Rohan? What business could draw such terrible creatures to Herne?'1/1
1 Speak toMeneldir (Show dialog)
'What did you learn from the old man, Player?'
You tell Meneldir of Aberthol's frightening night-time encounter. He frowns and strokes his beard.
'This does align with the story Boromir told us about the power he sensed at Osgiliath, but that is leagues away... what has brought it here a-horse at such speed? I may know one name of these creatures, but I will not speak it here.'
He turns to the innkeeper.
'Maddoc, might I ask you to open your doors to all the townsfolk of Herne this evening? Some evil has left its mark upon the village, and I think it would be safest if the townsfolk sheltered behind the strong walls of Crossway House tonight.'
Meneldir turns back to you.
'As for us, Player, I think we should hunt some game in Sedgemead to resupply Maddoc's pantry, gather up firewood so we can keep the town braziers burning all night, and bring word to the townspeople that they should shelter within Crossway House tonight. What say you to this plan? I will not leave these people undefended... I cannot.'1/1
2 ObtainCollect choice cuts of meat from animals in Sedgemead (x/10)10/10
2 Use spawned itemCollect firewood in Sedgemead (x/8)8/8
2.3) Speak toBledri (Show dialog)
'You want the townsfolk to shelter within Crossway House tonight?
'If I hadn't found old Aberthol lying on the ground the night this started happening, I might think it wasn't necessary, stranger. But I believe something evil had him in its clutches, and it only departed when I drew near with my lamp.
'I will tell my neighbours your plan.'1/1
2.4) Speak toAldyth (Show dialog)
'You want the folk of Herne to shelter within Crossway House tonight?
'If I hadn't felt the terrible dread that settles upon Herne when the sun goes down, I might object, stranger. But I will do as you say, and let my neighbours know to do the same. Something is not right in Herne.'1/1
2.5) Speak toLinnet (Show dialog)
'Shelter in Crossway House tonight? Preposterous! My family will do as we have always done, stranger, and stay in our own home. There's a bad feeling about Herne of late, it is true, but with my door barred and the candles snuffed, my family has nothing to fear.
'Others can do as they will, but we will not cower in the tavern all night. This is some scheme of Maddoc's to fill his coffers, you mark my words! And old Aberthol has always been mad, ask anyone.
'Now good day to you, and do not bother me again!'1/1
3 Use itemRefill town braziers near Crossway House with firewood (x/8)8/8
4 Speak toMeneldir (Show dialog)
'The braziers are refilled and Maddoc's pantry has been newly-filled? Good. As for whether the townsfolk will shelter within Crossway House tonight, let us hope more of them do than do not. It is for their own good, though they may not all believe it.
'Let me know when you are ready, Player, and we will wait for night to fall.'1/1
'It is as I feared, Player. The creatures that passed through Herne four nights ago were the wraiths once called Nazgûl, and they left something behind to draw the Dead hither.
'But why have these creatures of legend returned to life, and where did they go? And most importantly, and of greatest concern to me: for what purpose have they come so far north?'1/1
Iron Coin of Cardolan (2)
