'Following his retreat from the Battle of the Pelennor, Gothmog fled to Imlad Morgul and the safety of the Dead City. Did he attempt to weaken the bridge west of Minas Morgul, as both Isildur and the Lord of the Nazgûl had once done? I cannot say for certain. I destroyed that bridge to protect us from further assault, but it occurs to me now that there was another result of my action: so too did I protect Gothmog from further assault by us. The western approach was blocked, and he needed fear no attack from that direction. He then sealed Fennas Gost, not to protect himself from us, for we had not yet entered Mordor and he had little reason to think we could, but to protect himself from Sauron, and from Sauron's servants.

'Why would they wish him ill? That is easy to see, ${PLAYER}. He commanded the loyalty of his own thralls, but there were other forces in Mordor that would deem him a failure, perhaps even a traitor to Sauron. Had he not suffered defeat after defeat in his guise of Mordirith, failing to achieve victory in the North? As Gothmog, had he not then suffered defeat on the field of battle before the walls of Minas Tirith? Yes, there are many in the Black Land who might question his loyalty, and none so greater than Sauron himself. Had the Quest of the Ring not succeeded, had the Dark Lord not fallen, who is to say what Sauron might have done to punish Gothmog? But Frodo did succeed, and Gothmog was given a reprieve, brief though it was.

'I believe he searched the dungeons and hidden chambers of Minas Morgul for some weapon that might reverse his fortunes. I have learned enough of the Valley of the Secret Shadow to know that the entrance was blocked by enchantments fashioned by the Lord of the Nazgûl, such that the very passage was hidden to the eyes of all but the Nine and Sauron himself. But they are all gone, and now Falch Gurth lies open once again. Did Gothmog delve within, and did he find the weapon he sought inside Thuringwath? Now he hides within Barad Cúron, the Tower of the Crescent Moon. You must gain access to the tower, ${PLAYER}. Speak to Prince Faramir and he may know how this may be accomplished.'

Foes sworn to many different masters stalk the various levels of Minas Morgul.

Faramir asked you to defeat enemies throughout the Dead City and to meet up with the Rangers Mithrendan and Culang on the upper levels.

Objectives

• Defeat merrevail in Minas Morgul (0/6)
• Talk to Culang

The entrance to Barad Cúron is guarded by a watchful presence. Culang warned you to be careful, but if you are to gain access to Gothmog's lair inside the tower you will need to dare the guardians.

Objectives

• Investigate the entrance to Barad Cúron, the Tower of the Crescent Moon, south of Culang's position

A watchful presence stands guard at the entrance to Barad Cúron.

Objectives

• Talk to Ulkauga

Culang will be interested to hear what guards the entrance to Barad Cúron.

Objectives

• Talk to Culang

Mithrandir is waiting for you to return to Echad Uial with word of what guards the entrance to Barad Cúron.

Objectives

• Talk to Mithrandir