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2a | 2b | 2c | 2d | 2e

THE BARROW-DOWNS

Barrow Downs

  1. When you enter the shaded area on the map above, fog descends upon the downs (the screen turns grey) and you cannot see where you are going. You can dispel the fog temporarily using Countermagic, but to remove it permanently you need help. If you stay in the fog, after some time your companions disappear one by one (up to four of them). You can leave the foggy area without your friends, but to save them you must turn back. Wander in the fog until the Leader is finally captured with the others and brought to the largest barrow (5).
    Note that the Leader need not be the Ringbearer. It is perfectly possible to lose the Ring in the Barrow-downs, but you cannot proceed to Bree without it.
  2. At night, there is a 25% chance that a barrow-wight attacks, provided that the fog has not been dispelled. While there are 5 possible places where the event may occur, it will happen once only.
  3. At night, there is a 40% chance that a barrow-wight attacks, provided that the fog has not been dispelled. There are 3 of these spots. The nasty barrow-wight will threaten you from somewhere below ground even when it does not actually surface to attack.
  4. A chill wind whispers. At night, a barrow-wight attacks (if the fog has not been dispelled). There are 5 possible places where the event may occur, but it will happen once only.
  5. You fall into a barrow where you find the skeleton of a tomb robber. Use perception to learn more about his fate. When you get the gem, two barrow-wights appear.
  6. The only way into the twin barrows is to get captured by a wight in the fog. When you regain consciousness, you find yourself lying in a sarcophagus (a), unable to move. The barrow-wight is about to kill your companions. If you do nothing, it uses its sword, and the game cruelly leaves you lying paralyzed until you give up and reset. Instead, use perception to find a dagger. Get the dagger. Use it to buy some time. To survive, though, you must use either the Countermagic spell or the !HelpHelp or !Bombadil words of power. Tom Bombadil appears, disposes of the wight and temporarily joins the party. In a room to the west you find a locked chest (b). If you have been to Rivendell to get help (or, to be more precise: if you have defeated the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen), three barrow-wights guard the chest. Use picklock or the Unlock spell to open it. Get the four Barrow daggers and the silver pennies. When you exit the barrow, Tom Bombadil leaves.
  7. If you enter the barrow by day you are attacked by a barrow-wight. Get the two daggers, the leaf belt, gem, and silver pennies.
  8. At the top of the barrow, you are attacked by a barrow-wight at night (if the fog has not been dispelled). While there are 2 possible places where the event may occur it will happen once only.
  9. The entrance to this barrow is marked with the symbol of a sceptre and a swan-winged crown. There is no way in. See below.
  10. The first time you enter one of the stone circles (if the fog has not been dispelled), the Ringbearer is tempted to put on the Ring but resists.
  11. Discard an object in the center of the stone circle for hints:
    • A Maiden's Favor Softens a Hardened Heart. (Refers to Thadred the ghost in the Weathertop area.)
    • Two words ye must have to enter Durin's Doom. (Refers to the secret levels in Moria where Durin's Axe is hidden.)
    • Gloom, Tomb, Doom, and a Hidden Room. (Probably refers to a secret room past some misty passageways and a tomb in the Third Deep of Moria.)
    • When ye climb the windy rock, seek a stone apart. (Refers to the standing stone at Weathertop.)
    Discarded objects cannot be retrieved, so drop things that are no longer needed. Use a shovel to find and get a bottle, some elfdraught, and some silver pennies.
    At night, you are attacked by three of Sharkey's men searching the area.
  12. Stomping around in the ruins, you notice that your footsteps sound hollow. Stand there scratching your head for some time and you will find a cellar by falling into it. Alternatively, use a shovel. Inside you find a buried dwarf. Use perception to find and read an interesting scroll. Climb or use rope to get bounced back outside.
  13. At night you are attacked by a barrow-wight in the ruins (if the fog has not been dispelled).
  14. (Daytime only) You are attacked by three orcs on patrol. If you have been to Rivendell (or, to be more precise, if the Black Riders have been dismounted at the Ford of Bruinen), the defence was strengthened while you were away and you are attacked by five Uruks.

Silver pennies
Twin barrows200
Tomb robber barrow150
Stone circle200