'I have studied the artifact that Ayorzén stole from the vault of Durthang. It bears a powerful corruption, but it was not made in the land of Mordor. It came from elsewhere, and the corruption that envelops it stems from its long stay in the Black Land. If this evil could be cleansed, I believe that Elrond could imbue it with a powerful and vital force for Good.

'Before that can happen, however, we must do something about the corruption that Mordor has worked upon it. There are different methods to accomplish this, though the Wise disagree upon the effectiveness of each. My preferred means for such a cure is to bring the corrupted item to the place where it was made, or to places of some significance upon its path, and to thereby diffuse the foul touch of Mordor that has, in the interim, claimed it. We must learn the story of this heirloom before it came to Mordor.'

The Wizard turns the artifact over in his hands, studying it for some clue to its origin. It is a sceptre, about the length of the Wizard's forearm, and while there are some markings near the clawed orb at its head, the overall impression is of simplicity.

'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.'

Cythred is on the hill of Weathertop, in the Lone-lands.

Objectives

• Talk to Cythred on Weathertop

Séca is on Weathertop.

You have defended Cythred from an attack, and now his assistant Séca wishes to thank you.

Objectives

• Talk to Séca

Séca of the Eglain told you to consult with Newbold Leafcutter in the Scholar's Stair Archives in the Town of Bree.

Objectives

• Find the Scholar's Stair Archives in Bree-town

Newbold Leafcutter is in the Scholar's Stair Archive in the Town of Bree.

Objectives

• Talk to Newbold Leafcutter

Haudh Nogbenn is at the southern tip of the Northern Barrow-downs.

Newbold Leafcutter thinks that evils will be drawn to the sceptre when you bring it to Haudh Nogbenn.

Objectives

• Defeat evil-fascinated wights outside Haudh Nogbenn (${NUMBER}/3)

Haudh Nogbenn is at the southern tip of the Northern Barrow-downs.

Newbold Leafcutter thinks that evils will be drawn to the sceptre when you bring it to Haudh Nogbenn.

Objectives

• Defeat evil-fascinated wights outside Haudh Nogbenn (2/3)

A fallen wooden shield catches your eye outside the entrance to the barrow of Haudh Nogbenn.

Objectives

• Examine the wooden shield and search Haudh Nogbenn for its owner

Elrond is at the Haven of Orladion in Rivendell, north-west of the Last Homely House.

You have cleansed the corruption from the Sceptre of Cardolan, and should bring it now to Elrond in Rivendell.

Objectives