An Ancient Story of Evil  

'Greetings, traveller! Do you wish to hear a tale? I know many, though one, perhaps, would be of greater interest to you. Have you heard of the Great Barrow? It lies at the heart of the Barrow-downs, a place of dread in Bree-land.

'But it was not always so and perhaps need not remain so. Evil things stir in the Downs and threaten to turn cautious fear into abject terror. Perhaps you might be interested in restoring the peace of the Downs? In return, I will tell you my tale.

'First, I need you to find the fragments of a key that opens the way into the deepest halls of the Great Barrow. Legend tells that the first fragment is guarded by two wights within a great maze of tombs, while the second is held by a gaunt-man, a terrible creature of the First Age. Both fragments are to be found within the Great Barrow. Take those you can trust, for the way is treacherous.'

Naerandir has told you he knows the story of the Great Barrow, but that the reality of the place as it exists now must be masked beneath the splendour of legend, lest cautious fear grows into terror.

Objective 1
Find the left half of the key
Find the right half of the key
The Barrow-downs are south through the gate by the stables and south of Bree. The Great Barrow is at the heart of the Barrow-downs. The first key fragment is guarded by two wights in the Great Barrow maze. The second key fragment is held by a Gaunt-lord elsewhere in the Great Barrow. Naerandir is outside the Prancing Pony.

Naerandir has asked you to find two fragments of a key that opens the way into the deepest halls of the Great Barrow from a pair of wights and a creature called a gaunt-man. He recommended taking friends.

Objective 2
Bring the key fragments to Naerandir
A forge lay before a great door within the Barrows. It is here that the key will need to be reforged. It will take no skill, but certainly time, to reforge the key.

A Guide to the Great Barrow Downs