'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 object over in his hands, studying it for some clue to its origin. To your eye it is a simple bag of leather, sealed with a strap of cord tied in a simple-looking knot. Mithrandir sets his fingers to untying the knot, but the cord resists his efforts. He frowns.

'There is more here than appears at first, ${PLAYER}, for untying this knot should be a simple matter, yet is not. There is some power at work here that keeps the bag sealed. When I shake it I hear a sound as of small stones; the bag is not empty, but what it contains will remain secret until the bag is opened.

'I have seen bags of this type in the possession of Earth-kin, such as those that live at Lehmä-koti in the Ram Dúath, south of Angmar. Speak to their chief and perhaps he will be able to open the bag and remove the corruption that surrounds it.'

Aarnikka and Santtu can be found in the village of Lehmä-koti and may know something about the corrupted pouch.

Objectives

• Talk to Santtu

There is a pond in the North Downs, in the south-east corner of Nan Amlug East, where the Rauta-lehmä gather. Santtu told you Trotsiv was going to go there, but he is worried that something happened to him because the pond is very near to Kar Lak, war-camp of the Rauta-lehmä.

Objectives

• Find the pond revered by the Rauta-lehmä near Kar Lak, in Nan Amlug East

A pack of hunting Wargs has been drawn to you by the evil emanating from the corrupted pouch.

Objectives

• Defeat evil-fascinated Wargs at the pond near Kar Lak (${NUMBER}/3)

A pack of hunting Wargs has been drawn to you by the evil emanating from the corrupted pouch.

Objectives

• Defeat evil-fascinated Wargs at the pond near Kar Lak (2/3)

You have found an Ent near a pond in the North Downs.

Objectives

Rhothlas is standing among the trees near the pond in Nan Amlug East, below Kar Lak.

Objectives

• Talk to Rhothlas and hear his tale

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

You have cleansed the corruption from the Seeds of Defiance, and should bring them now to Elrond in Rivendell.

Objectives