'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. To your eye the heirloom is a golden necklace, ordinary save for the large ruby in its centre. The chain is broken and cannot have been easily worn for some time. It looks familiar to you.

'Familiar, you say?' Gandalf asks, stroking his beard. 'How so?'

You tell him that the necklace shares a resemblance with one worn by a man called Umín in tunnels beneath the Forsaken Inn of the Lone-lands. Umín had been ensnared by the villainous spirit inhabiting a necklace just like this one, and breaking its hold upon the man had not been easy.

'Let us hope no such spirit bedevils this necklace, ${PLAYER}, but there is some foulness about it all the same. If you find this Umín, he may help you to cleanse the corruption enwreathing it. I say it is time for you to return to the Forsaken Inn, my friend. Anlaf the Forlorn may know where you can find this Umín now.'

Anlaf told you that Umín just left the Forsaken Inn, and if you hurry you might see him outside somewhere.

Objectives

Umín has struggled greatly since his encounter with the spirit of the necklace in the caverns beneath the Forsaken Inn.

Objectives

• Talk to Umín and return to the ship in the caverns beneath the Forsaken Inn

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

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

Objectives