Complete List of Lotro's Storylines & Loose Ends That Need to Be Tied Up... Eventually
Spoilers here, watch out. First of all, I love this. I'm in absolute love with storylines which can reemerge years into the future and small details from the past that suddenly make perfect sense. I loved Minas Morgul, loved the storylines resolved there, it even brought us full circle back to Shadows of Angmar. Also, in love with Gothmog's death. Even after all this time, even after countless defeats and death of Sauron and the Nazgul... he truly believed he alone deserved to rule Mordor in their place, more than anyone else. On the other hand, there were some subtle doubts and he did stab Ugrukhor in the end but it wasn't a cliche that I was afraid would happen (turning into a shade, regretting his actions, sudden return of love for Gondor and its current king). Truly memorable content and amazing ending for one of Lotro's main antagonists. So yeah, I really like how the loose ends were handled in Minas Morgul. But the way I feel about LOTRO right now is that for every slain major big bad two more appear and for every solved mystery we get three other characters and three other setups for future storylines in distant lands... and I still LOVE it! I only hope the devs actually remember about all of these, have interesting plans for them and can resolve most of them in LOTRO's run. Also, the number is growing to insane proportions and therefore becoming slightly confusing...
Hence, I present to you the list of the most important questions and loose ends in LOTRO. A guide to this wonderful world of Tolkien feast and consequential world-building. Maybe one of the devs can take a look and notify us if they notice something that's a actually a dropped plot or badly interpreted as foreshadowing when it's not. There is nothing worse in storytelling than endlessly waiting for answers and characters that will almost certainly never arrive.
PS: I'll update the list with annotations after I'm done with new content (A1, B1, etc). Don't mind some missing numbers! - if something is resolved, then it will be removed from the list.
SPOILERS BELOW!!!!!
ONGOING PLOT - OF MORDOR
1. The Bugdatish storyline.
I'm interested to see how this illness can affect other Gúrzyul (their mind, body, powers?) and whether their "true" names can actually help. In witchcraft names are said to hold power over things, sure, but I wonder what was Sauron's idea behind this concept and why Ugrukhôr was so convinced it'll help ready to chase Karazgar all over Middle-earth for it.
2. Nûlbanath and Mothgorod...
The last two of the Gúrzyul. My guess is they're in Nurn strongholds.
3. Black Book given to Karazgar?
I know this was framed as "fun" epilogue choice but... maybe we'll be able to witness cool consequences or different interactions with Karazgar in the future? Harlos Should Stay/Go mechanic but maybe slightly more complex?
4. Karazgar / our character dynamic...
...because I can't shake off the feeling something is going on... in some circles this would already have become an ideal shipping material, you know :P First, he is so intrigued with us "...the reek of subservience. I know the Master you serve. I have cast off the shackles (...) Why should you not do the same?" and then in the Vales asks for our help hoping we'll betray Gandalf's trust, even offers his assassin services, also respects our choice to fight alongside the dwarves against him (because they offer gold and gear haha). Furthermore, he accepts all of the terms if given the book and *apparently* upholds the deal. Does Karazgar sympathize with our character? What's up with that? Was Gandalf the "Master" he referred to? PS: And THEN he left us a letter and shared some personal feelings, just because he likes us, yikes... how romantic. Even the quest giver was seemingly surprised and wondered whether a Karazgar-redemption is possible, haha.
5. Lhaereth's storyline.
So many questions and she always escapes. Is she really the main power in Mordor now? Does she actually control Nurn or is all that just a boastful talk, blinded by her quest for the child which will probably be the undoing of her kind? What of the Ithil Stone which was snatched by her merrevail back in Mordor questline? Is that the key to her power? Finally, what's up with the mysterious Watching-stone in Seregost and what's the story behind it? It was maybe implied it was Lhaereth's daughter and her mortal (?) lover in that other stone but that's not exactly clear.
6. Borangos the Horror and his plan.
Looking for something beneath Mount Doom. Thraknûl and Naerband were supposed to figure in his plan but no idea how. What IS Borangos anyway? He was sealed away by someone, long before Sauron took complete hold of Mordor apparently. Damn, when he got out the guy needed to ask the Nazgul "who the heck is Sauron?" because he got no clue! Also, he's been planning this for a long time now, so I guess he only pretended to serve under Sauron. So yeah, very interesting baddie.
7. The mysterious Balrog watching-stone in Thuringwath.
Where we left Gandalf to... ponder. The spirit in the stone was particularly strong, even for him, but he wanted to break it. It wasn't part of the epic line and ends so abruptly hence a bit unclear but... it WILL continue, right? As of Gundabad, note that Gandalf has still not appeared in any of the more recent storylines and the watching-stone encounter would be his last known location, so yeah, possibly he is still engaged in the 'battle of wills' with that watching-stone...
8. Urudanî was in Durthang when Eärnur's party arrived.
Happened during the flashbacks from Voin's Black Book. Spying on Ugrukhôr? Not sure whether it'll be picked up but interesting!
9. The Matriarch of Nurn.
The orcs in Reclamation storyline briefly mentioned someone called 'the Matriarch of Nurn.'
10. The Nurnoth guy who escaped from Nearband.
He will most likely show up in Nurn, there is no doubt.
11. What of Gorgoroth? Which fortresses still stand? What's taken, what enemies remain?
I know Minas Morgul (very briefly) explained Gondor took Talath Úrui and Borangos left but... what of Ugrukhôr's fortress now that he is dead, what of Udun? Is Lhaereth in control of Barad Dur remains? Is Agarnaith still empty and already rid of all orcs? What is the situation on the front, what battles were fought and where? These are pretty important questions that need answers.
12. The slaves of Udun storyline and their orc friend, the ones who wanted to flee with Easterlings.
Assuming they survived the onslaught, perhaps they can return but it's more about the concept really... because what happens with all the slaves, evil men and ORCS who *don't want* to labor for their overlords any longer? Tolkien wrote "orcs threw themselves into the pits and died" but excuse me if I'm not satisfied with that answer. With lotro's more detailed world-building for the bad guys and with characters such as Viznak... you can't just leave this like that? And if those orcs can be spared or even entire tribes of them... I need to know what will they eat, where will they live, how do they deal with change and whether they have second thoughts. Damn, someone among Gondorians may even play the bad guy's tune and advocate for orc genocide. Would be something amazing to witness, all these issues resolved in a future storyline.
13. The cure for the Plague in the tome from the Halls of Black Lore.
The Archivist warned such dark knowledge will come at a cost but no idea whether that's for future storyline or just a fair warning concerning the very-very-distant future of men.
14. Who was Thargaun and what was his plan in Thuringwath?
I guess this is largely irrelevant and wrapped up but... quests in Reclamation chain did not clear it up for me, seemed like the weakest part of Morgul Vale content. What was the purpose of the trial stones, what was his scheme? What kind of new body was he trying to create and how? What was he looking for? And the leader of the kergrim in the Deep-barrow, he worked for Thargaun, but there is no indication what for. I guess it's nothing that will come back but it was pretty confusing. I guess maybe he was part of the Witch-king's 'Gaunt-lords 2.0' project but bound to Minas Morgul so needed a new body? But what were these gaunt-lord dedicated altars in Thuringwath anyway? Were they for the original gaunt-lords or gaunt-lords 2.0 specifically? Does it connect to Agath-kali transformation into a gaunt-woman as well? Or how does it connect to Morloth if at all? I don't mind a bit of well-delivered mystery but seems like all of this was just poorly explained, if anyone has any idea please enlighten me.
15. Jarl Gurthilm and his men.
Maybe they'll invade from the East of Mordor for spoils? Or we meet them later, somewhere in Khand?
A1. The creature Narchraw and its realm.
The creature that escaped from prison in Barad Dur. It was said it "will return to his realm in Nan Ogol, the fell-vale in the far western reaches of Mordor, to retake his former throne" and that it was neither beast nor man. Interesting, I wonder if it reappears. Maybe in the mountains below Morgul Vale on the map?
A2. Thostír the Rank.
A great fire-drake of the East, who escaped Mordath. Yeah, not done with dragons, there is *another* Hrimil out there!
ONGOING PLOT - OF RHOVANION/RHUN
17. Thafar-gathol.
If it remained just a mystery, a mythical city never to be found... it would be fine, even pretty cool. I like how Voin's story ends. Still, with all strange things happening all around Gundabad, Grey Mountains, Iron Hills, so close to frozen wastes of Forodwaith... I get a feeling Thafar-gathol may be found someday... for important plot reasons and in unexpected location, and maybe it's something else entirely than everyone believes it is because all those Zhelruka who originally found it NEVER came back and disappeared without trace... there was only one survivor driven to madness...
18. Blue Wizards and the magic cults they created.
I guess it's Blue Caste among Khundolar and Violet Caste (?) among Jangovar. The Wizards' names are most likely Yirokhsar the Blue and Yetkeyin the Violet. What's their story? Are they corrupt? Are they benevolent but don't care about the rest of Middle-earth? Where were they when Mordor's plagues devastated the Easterlings? They sound like the middle-ground between withdrawn Radagast and corrupt Saruman which is very interesting. Slavery seems to be a thing in Rhun so I guess they need to be fine with the idea otherwise they wouldn't last that long in complete isolation in the Eastern lands. That's probably bad news for Aragorn's future conquests in the East because it doesn't sound like they would "favor" Gondorian culture over their own peoples. On the other hand, from the accounts of Easterling NPCs and bosses (from both Khundolar and Jangovar sides) seems like they forbade alliances with Sauron. But Easterlings started to serve him anyway because they thought Sauron was the chief of gods, that it was merely a test and the Blue Wizards served him too, at least the Jangovar thought so. Some others wanted to heed their "Masters" but were forced to march for Sauron by their kings. Interesting. Power dynamics in Rhun seem to be completely different and contradicting even.
19. Rozi, the Easterling.
The Easterling captain from the Brown Lands questline who agreed to return home, presumably to strike back against their kings/Sauron.
20. The Eastern refugees in Dale.
Like the Chayasir and others from closer Dorwinion, I guess we'll need to hear from them again and see how well they've adjusted.
21. The devastated home of Zhelruka and things "worse than dragons"
Second home, I guess. Because the first time they've become "wondering people" was "more than six thousand years ago" when land shook and Hall of Torrents collapsed. During the destruction of Thangorodrim, when Morgoth fell (most likely). Which led to the entire Thafar-gathol business. Now, I think they also talked about their current king Ótek who has replaced Vékun II (who died in the cataclysm?) so he will need to show up somewhere in the East.
22. OH RIGHT, SO... WHAT HAPPENED IN RHUN?
That's the most important question right now and it seems like A LOT has happened. Let's take a closer look, based on the Chayasir account which seems to be the most accurate (since they've travelled from afar and actually seen it all with their own eyes).
'From the ruin we fled and come over high mountains. We were very near the tops when they shook, shook mightily. We fell to our feet, all of us, and watched amazed as the snows flowed cascading like thundering rivers down onto the foothills below.' Could be the mountains of Rhun (but that's not that far and almost part of Rhun, which would make the Chayasir the locals, although they don't appear like they would know much about local matters, so hmm). So maybe the Eastern mountain chain that housed the Zhelruka and Stout-axes of old (Orocarni), which would make more sense, I guess? They shook and enormous avalanches devastated the lands below.
'Then we came to the sea, the waters roiling and the sands lined with a great wreckage of ships. There was fire among them, and whether they came from strife among men, or great storms, or some other cause, I cannot say.' This is evidently the Sea of Rhun. Sea warfare and infighting? Unnatural storms caused by the cataclysm? Or magic?
'Over green lowlands we travelled, and then up into high dry-lands, swept cold by wind. There the earth had been opened up as if from a wound, and we could not see into the depths.' Nameless? Lava? Someone else mentioned the fires spitting out of the earth. This must be where it happened. Somewhere between Dorwinion and Rhun? Perhaps, but no idea really. Many among the Dorwinion refugees run *because they saw other people run and talk about the destruction* and not because they actually witnessed it themselves. So it must be closer to Rhun proper rather than rest of Dorwinion or Iron Hills. And... it seems like the devastation occurred in the original starting location of the Chayasir too (they fled from ruin) and that's Far Far East, if we assume they were referring to Orocarni, and that's well beyond the bounds of Middle-earth map, not in Rhun. What the heck happened THERE?
'Armies we saw, gleaming and orderly, as if going off to war. Then we saw other soldiers, wounded and dirtied, wandering as if lost.' Wounded and dirtied must be the defeated Easterlings from War of the Ring in retreat (those who did not linger), there is no doubt. But then... earlier they saw soldiers at the ready? Gleaming and orderly? In the middle of the cataclysm that happened? Are the blue wizards in the middle of war with one another? Is this cataclysm their fault? Or are these armies being raised by a new force? What force drives the newly raised, well-armored armies of Easterlings?
Taking into account Lhaereth's involvement in the region, Weeping Warrior's reputation and the current strife and cataclysm... this will be land full of tales, tears, madness, sadness, wonder and glory. Perhaps a bit empty as well... so many died in devastation but also so many people died in war. Others escaped to the Dalelands, those who did not seem to be forced into army again, maybe? This is also the land of slavery but where orcs and "dark-robed cultists" aren't the ones calling the shots. Orcs taken prisoners and turned-slaves of the Eastern humans can be possible as well, I believe...?
23. Ayorzén the Funny will make a come back, no doubt.
He was last seen gathering his brethren still left in Mordor and riding towards Rhun, presumably. In... Karazgar's mask.
24. Rook and his journey East.
I know he is more of a joke character but... but... He was last seen in Osgiliath and commanded a huge number of Easterlings. I mean, he's becoming dangerous and less of a joke. We really need to see him again since this pretty much established his growth as an antagonist of "sorts." Also, what's funny, this piece of dialogue about devastation in Rhun sounds like it has something to do with him: "a darkness coming down from the sky, a thousand, thousand night-black red-eyed crows." Hmm. Maybe the Rhun cataclysm is in fact Rook who finally meddled with something he shouldn't have. LOL.
X1. The wood-folk of the Vales were given the Narrows in Mirkwood.
East/south of Rhosgobel - not really a plot point but significant event that could potentially take us that direction someday and see the return of some of the characters from the Vales and Radagast.
ONGOING PLOT - OF GUNDABAD
25 "Pit of the nameless things" somewhere in Gundabad.
Mentioned by the Hobgoblin boss in the Grey Mountains instance, how he fought the nameless things in Gundabad... but I haven't actually seen such a place of significance anywhere in the expansion. Weird. Unless there is something more down the enormous pit in Mattugard? Pretty please don't let this bit of dialogue remain without consequence, devs...
27. Strange wars between the nameless and Durin, as evidenced by the Shadowed King storyline.
Really interesting and while Silmarillion stuff is OUT OF THE QUESTION I really like where this Durin business is going. Because yeah... Durin and his folk weren't involved in Beleriand wars. When "everyone's" world was resolving all around Silmarils... was it all a paradise further East? Or there were even stranger dangers lurking in the eastern lands and mountains? We've already found out about Sauron and Morgoth's scheme in one of Gundabad storylines... but I wonder whether there is something of greater significance about Durin's struggle against Moria's nameless perhaps?
28. Vóin, Magoldir, Eärnur and his knights fought some kind of "evil in Gundabad."
So maybe there is a connection to be made as well someday, who knows. Maybe something about the Nameless? Or Angmar activity in that area back then? Angmar remnants after the retreat of the Witch-king is what Eärnur and his knights were originally hunting down in the area, perhaps that's an opportunity to see even more of Eärnur/Voin flashbacks at some point.
B1. What ARE Hobgoblins/Frost-bound?
At first, I thought "a new generic race of orcs from Gundabad" or something to do with Hrimil since they're a part of her hordes but... even though Gundabad makes it extra clear they consider themselves loyal Hrimil's servants... I'm still not sure. I guess an origin story akin to Gash-hai would be cool but we don't have it in Gundabad.
To make matters MORE interesting Gundabad introduced a female Hobgoblin and made mention of "the North" where all of their females actually reside! Of course this leaves us with the complex and a bit delicate question whether all lotro's orcs/goblins multiply in a natural way (and if yes, where the heck ARE all of their females!) or whether it's just (or mostly) Hobgoblins who have their own females whereas the rest of the orcs are bred/hatched through some kind of sorcery and other means that don't involve mating. Or maybe some of their females look exactly like males. Complex stuff, haha. Although the 'Matriarch of Nurn' was already mentioned by some Mordor orcs so maybe we're going to see an actual orcish female as well? Only if that's the case (someday in Nurn update?), it makes me wonder... wouldn't the devs need to literally fill the landscape with female orcs just to justify the extend/rapid growth of Sauron's armies? The thing with Hobgoblin storyline was, after all, that they were few in numbers and fearing for the survival of their race, with females left behind safely in "the North" which may/may not indicate somewhere in Forodwaith.
Which by the way would be cool if their actual origins and source behind their ice sorcery was something unordinary out of the wastes of Forodwaith...
B2. "The Master which sleeps below" (in Gundabad?)
The lines spoken by an icy, "white-walker" Frost-bound boss from the instance in War of the Three Peaks: "May the frost and cold bring you closer to the master which sleeps below." Who the heck is that? Something icy and greater than Hrimil even? Unless these lines of dialogue here where pretty careless, whereas they always refer to Hrimil as Mistress in most cases. But then again... Anvil isn't THAT close, she is not sleeping anymore but trying to escape and the boss says the lines while standing right at the threshold of Gundabad caves... not to mention that the appearance of this particular boss is VERY distinct and we haven't seen anything like it with Gundabad mobs, as far as I can remember... Wouldn't it be pretty cool if there was actually a greater frosty power behind it all? Behind their ice magic? Somewhere in Gundabad or generally underground? Idk, but this sounds like a great loose end to dive into. Gash-hai were created by the elemental powers of the Balrog/powerful lesser Balrog. While Hrimil IS powerful and clearly nurtured her loyal Hobgoblins, I kind of don't see her being as elementally-gifted to be able to give/teach that kind of magic and create an entire distinct race?
B8. Durin summoned other houses of the Dwarves for Gundabad expansion which confirms they're all in good shape somewhere... but where? What are their histories?
It was pretty confusing and kind of a letdown that I've seen a few named dwarves from other clans during Durin's speech at Dwarrowmoot but... they haven't even said anything/were not part of the expansion/we've never seen them arrive to the gates of Gundabad even though Durin actually sent for other houses. They were there for the Allegiance storyline, though it wasn't nearly as satisfying as it should have been.
Narfanghoth and Landorrim are said to be good allies of the Longbeards and they are what remained from Belegost/Nogrod, but where do they live exactly (at least those who haven't relocated to live with Longbeards in the past which would essentially strip them of their identity, kind of). My guess is West of Thorin's Hall? Beyond that gate behind Edhelion? Also, now that we know Dourhands aren't actually a leftover of an actual house (or are they?) how do they come into the picture here? (I may only assume something like a Firehorns rebrand in Mordor and with Stout-axes being a rebrand themselves) The more detailed origins of the Dourhands would be something interesting to explore.
Another interesting thing is that Kámbrada ARE actually alive as well (and their location known to Durin, apparently), separately from Stout-axes who I previously thought were all that remained of their house. So interesting to learn their story and how did they manage to remain independent after Sauron's attack? (and history of their hostility towards the Zhelruka and vice versa on top of it!). Even more confusing now is that Ered Cernin (a mountain range far to the east of Middle-earth, beyond Rhun) is said to be home to Zhélruka and Abnúzhu dwarven clans - but not Kámbrada! Though Zhelruka are said to have awakened near to the Kámbrada, with whom they fought over the resources of Ered Cernin... so it's weird. Is that one of those times when a mistake occurred in Lotro's writing? Or is that intentional and Kámbrada awoken first but like... abandoned their original homeland and usurped Ered Cernin so that would mean 3 houses used to live there and even more confusing... there were *multiple* disasters, including the fall of Morgoth, the most recent one, Sauron's attack (attacks) and dragons who were drawn to their rings. Their history sounds quite harsh... even compared to the Longbeards. Or perhaps it's Abnúzhu who awoken somewhere else but changed their location to Ered Cernin? This gotta be explained!
That leaves us with Temámir... who we know for certain didn't originate in Ered Cernin. I guess they would be closer to Chayasir in terms of how they present themselves and their culture? (though armor also similar to some Easterlings I guess? more so than Zhelruka and Kambrada so that's interesting) On the other hand, Abnúzhu do remind me of LOTRO's Haradrim too (their darker skin color, some weaponry and such) so whichever mountain chain they originated from - maybe they're settled somewhere South and closer to Harad? A part of me is in disbelief it would be possible to summon them from that afar with landscapes like Mordor and Rhun and Khand IN THE WAY but then again, I guess dwarves are resilient and they can go unnoticed under mountains.
ONGOING PLOT - OF ANGMAR REBORN 2.0
PS: these get confusing!
B4. Brathar Crack-helm and his Dourhands.
Not only an amazing story angle with the Dourhands scheming something of their own/trying to take over in Angmar but... another big mystery, I had hoped. They seem only mildly interested in the War of the Three Peaks and one of the tortured Angmarim mentions Brathar has "set his sights far higher." Not only that, he mentions that "it was all inevitable" because "it was foreseen" that "the Iron Crown would be broken and Angmar would be undone." WOW, foreseen how? Why would this Angmarim say something like that? Brathar spoke about mending the Iron Crown and found support within Angmarim ranks. Then we find out Brathar has seen reason long time ago and figured out they were used/Skorgrim was fake. The questline introduces this cool in-fighting between Brathar and other Angmar factions, it has us join forces with Dourhands and make a move on the Drearspire. Only... nothing actually came out of it? Other than revealing that Brathar had his eyes set on a certain artifact but was beaten to it?
Which was very disappointing because that's literally where it ends - with Brathar's lieutenant disillusioned with him and our dwarven squad admitting this is the end of Brathar stirring trouble. Then, you're required to continue with Gundabad zones where there is no further connection to this, Brathar and his Dourhands are not mentioned again. So there is no clear indication whether Brathar was allowed to walk away after this or how this alliance ended after the attack on the spire. But then again, in the Allegiance chapter the Dourhands are their usual bitter unfriendly selfs, so one could say many of them would still follow someone like Brathar given a chance.
So it can't be the end, eh? I mean, the setup with Brathar's schemes, cryptic messages about him and prophesized Angmar's fall, or the cool reintroduction of the Dourhands and Angmar, it all seemed like a great premise for a longer story and not something to be dropped so soon in a rushed conclusion. So hopefully we get back to that, eventually.
PS: It has been confirmed by MoL that the person who worked on that Car Bronach quest chain has moved on to other projects and is no longer on the dev team, so until someone 'specifically volunteers to take it up' it is considered 'not on the schedule.' Which I find strange, considering how Angmar was a pretty big reveal and big part of Gundabad expansion, not entirely dealt with completely with lots of intentional loose ends. Having Brathar as another 'on the schedule' - whenever that might be - wouldn't hurt and would only benefit the narrative. So pretty please!
PS2: It was also confirmed through the Bullroarer previews that the Drearspire was supposed to be a fellowship instance, with the missing stone in the caverns below as the final stage presumably, so it's likely Brathar was supposed to be a *surprise, betrayal!* final boss there or something like that. But I'm glad it didn't happen, to be honest, even though some of these Car Bronach things were rewritten and kinda left hanging as the result. Because more should be done with Brathar and by extension with the Dourhands, I believe, rather than something as short-lived as originally planned! So hopefully, since Brathar had survived, we get back to that and potentially delve more into the origins of the Dourhands...
B5. Claghord, the hill-man and one of the Car Bronach leaders.
He states he does not care about the high-priestess Asachal's plans. He escapes to wherever Rhudaur-stone was moved to (most likely) and I can't really think of any suitable place on the map... unless back in Angmar itself? Or in another fortress further into the Iron Pass?
B6. Magith the Scather, yet another Angmarim boss.
Who seems to outrank Asachal from Car Bronach, wasn't in Car Bronach, and - by letter - instructed Ailgar to allow Ruvaran to proceed with his plans. There is evidently another center of Angmarim's power, Car Bronach wasn't it. Who knows, maybe Carn Dum, after all? She considers Ruvaran just a useful pawn not worth worrying about and intends to leave the tower in the care of Ailgar while Ruvaran is gone on his errand (except it was left in Asachal's care, presumably, because for reasons unknown Ailgar chose to actually accompany Ruvaran on the errand to Gundabad and was defeated alongside Ruvaran during the final chapter of the story)
B7. What was the high-priestess Asachal who resided in the Drearspire trying to achieve?
She was very confident even in the face of defeat, said we were "too late" and that she already achieved what she was trying to do - but no idea what it was! There was no indication and nobody cares after she drops dead. Also, there was Claghord who thought her plans were foolish... but probably nothing to do with the stone since he was more than happy to retreat to wherever it was moved. What's up with Angmarim leaders and their secret plans, each presumably dangerous but never explained and as of yet not a single indication there is a decent story planned here for the future? She must have necromanced something nasty, in any case...?
B9. The Máltagar, the Fell Graver... the relic of the Witch-king that even some of the Angmarim bosses not feel entirely safe around.
It seems to be responsible for some super creepy visions of the dead and it seems like different players have reported visions of different NPCs who had died in the past! Our dwarven NPCs have seen visions as well. The relic was used by Ruvaran to break the wards in Gloomingtarn but that's where the trail ends... because I haven't seen it anywhere during the fight with Ruvaran at the highest peak and his final plot involved the stolen Anvil, not the fell-graver. When you talk to Bosi at the peak, just after the fight with Ruvaran and Hrimil, he mentions another vision of the dead - that of his cousin Brogur fighting alongside you during the battle. Is that an indication of the relic being somewhere nearby? What happened with this relic? There is also this mysterious, watchful presence that reappears throughout the whole thing... it might be connected or perhaps it was just in relation to the Trials of the Dwarves' end-game character.
In addition, it is implied the relic caused the death of the female Angmarim named Govard and, after many months since the incident, the visage of her was seen by one of her companions. Some creepy stuff here... and the Angmarim seem evidently cautious and very scared. Magith the Scather believes Ruvaran wouldn't subject himself to the artifact and wouldn't carry it himself. Others don't want it near them (or their friends, apparently, which is interesting because that gotta be the first time when we see kinship shown among the baddies such as the Angmarim?)
B10. To summarize the Fell Graver assemblage...
Mornair (male) and Covaire (female) were left behind in the Drearspire. They were pals with the dead Govard and it's Covaire who saw her 'ghost.' Presumably, it's Covaire who was charged with the artifact before it was taken by Ruvaran, which was a relief. In addition, if listening to the conversation between those two, MoL confirmed there was a hidden room or something like that not every player could get access to. People said maybe it was for Boernings, but no idea whether that room clears something up or it's just some fun easter egg? Can someone confirm?
Lograth, yet another Agmarim character, who says that Covaire is dear to them so they want Ailgar to make sure she won't bear the relic for much longer. She is convinced they shouldn't have taken that relic from Barad Gularan and hints that it was probably Ruvaran's idea to mess with it but unclear. Lograth resides somewhere else than Car Bronach, presumably.
Ruvaran and Ailgar went to Gundabad. They were in the group related to artifact. Magith suspects Ruvaran wouldn't carry the artifact himself because he is too cautious and gives Ailgar the authority over the tower in Ruvaran's absence. However, Ailgar left the tower and journeyed with Ruvaran, effectively leaving the tower to Asachal who had her own plans, apparently. Between Gloomingtarn, where it was successfully used to break the wards, and the peak of the mountain itself, it's unknown what happened to the Maltagar and who actually carried it.
B11. The spirit of Drugoth bound to Loknashra...
She and Drugoth both are still at large! Who knows what that means and how much more powerful they can become over time.
ONGOING PLOT - OF HARAD
29. Jajax and his brother.
They may return when Aragorn sails to conquer Umbar and wage war against the Haradrim. That's not gonna be good, I'll be torn. I can't see Jajax asking Aragorn for help and subjugation... it would feel off, they are still pirates who love plunder and they won't part with it easily. This will be a difficult situation and maybe will make Aragorn look like a bad guy, lol.
30. The Haradrim prisoner from Ithilien.
The one who asked us to save his mumakil back in Ithilien. I guess he is a likely candidate to resurface. Or maybe we can see his mumakil too but somewhere towards Rhun? That would be a cool surprise, to see that the mumak survived and is doing well, so we can later relay the good news if we journey to Harad after Rhun.
31. Harad politics after the death of the 'Black Serpent' and Gondor relations with one of the Far Harad kingdoms.
One of the Far Harad emissaries was murdered in Allegiance storyline, this may have future consequences for Aragorn.
ONGOING PLOT - OF GONDOR
Z1. The region of Anfalas and Lord Golasgil's final words.
"If there is a day to come... after this... look to the people... of Anfalas. Tell them... Tell then their lord..." These words are yet to be fulfilled and our character sure takes their time (though there are more important matters at hand, to be sure)
Z2. Ondor, the White Mountain dwarf we met briefly in the Gap of Rohan.
The one who wanted to take revenge for his father's death but his family went back to Zigil-jâbal - one of the dwarven settlements in White Mountains, perhaps we'll meet him again someday.
Z3. The Gem-cutter family confusion.
Fúni Gem-cutter and his son Fúsi Gem-cutter have been first introduced in Eregion and mentioned their home city Zigil-jâbal in the White Mountains. But THEN Mother Amma in their Gem-cutter family home in Erebor happened. So that's confusing, retcon or not - I assume there are ways to explain this, like her husband originating from White Mountains specifically or White Mountains being Gem-cutters family home-in-exile after Smaug's attack?
Z4. In the Enedwaith epic line we can read some books in Zudrugund which may relate to the White Mountains.
One of the pages tells the tale of the downfall of some dwarves due to their greed and exploitation of a giant cave claw which enraged its giant mother (Pebblewart and Old Stonetooth) - or... it was more of a legend? Because according to Nar "I do not have time to listen to legends, friend! There is work to be done!" so it's more like it's a legend, presumably, but at the time it was also a delicate foreshadowing of things to come with the Falcon-clan and their own bigger cave-claw. Though now it reminds me of point D2... so maybe there could be a connection made someday and something more to be told about gigantic cave-claws?
There was also one page that mentioned the merchants of Zigil-jâbal and gem-stone gifts to "the dwarves at Kechel" (another White Mountains' colony?).
Also, there was another page that was said to be even older with only few words still readable but quite ominously sounding: "... time we lost one of our own to the Forbidden Halls. They should seal it away and forget it was ever delved." Perhaps a plot threat and mystery worth exploring someday? I mean... anything called "Forbidden Halls" is worth exploring, especially that IF we ever go West of Dol Amroth we'll *clearly* need a great deal of things to do and threats to unravel in the area.
UNKNOWN
32. Search for Corudan
His sister lives so this is unavoidable now... what happened to him? Why did he leave *right before* the battle for the Hornburg under the pretense of "scouting"? Horn, Nona, Galadriel... nobody knows where he is. It's such a big mystery at this point and elves serving Galadriel and Celeborn don't just vanish without trace. So it better be BIG and satisfying. Also, I no longer trust him... I mean... seriously... and if the answer is that he was caught while scouting... that would be pretty dumbass and unsatisfying, he seemed like a capable, stealthy fellow.
33. Nameless Mother and Throkhar, Lord of the Darkest Depths
He hungers. He will devour THE WORLD. That's it, that's the foreshadowing. I have no idea what is this big nameless threat that even the Shadowed King was merely a pawn to.
The deciphered code from the Secret Stone event: "All hail the nameless mother. Her children whisper the name Throkhar. Anxiously awaiting the call of their lord. The day of his return is nearing. The slumbering one shall hear our plea. And on that darkest day you will know despair. He will rise from the depths and devour the world."
I can only hope it'll blow my mind with strange, nameless vibes. Moria nameless level, I mean. Fungus or the Mistress. Or that creepy portal the crazy-looking lesser barlog named Gwathnor came through. Or the Shadowed King's chamber and stones' whispers. Or that strange Emissary. Preferably more. Things you can't possibly understand and comprehend yet still we investigate and we're getting some answers and great pay-offs. Maybe it has something to do with what happened in Rhun... or maybe with Gundabad... or something else entirely. Plot that will make the Blook Book research look like a cup of tea with Gandalf and War of the Three Peaks like a good relaxing afternoon with a hammer. I would also like to know what's the difference between balrogs/lesser balrogs (followers of Morgoth, lesser Maiar) and more alien-esque, strange-looking "Nameless" (world-eaters, faceless, and alike, things completely "out of this world" and definitely NOT spirits/Maiar), and why they seem to be working together to advance goals of the Nameless and satiate their hunger. Also, more of the Void portals and slight insight into the Void maybe?
PS: Not a fan of such critical matters briefly mentioned in a repeatable mission content as if it was nothing (by NPC who has no right to know all of this unless he speaks nameless tongue lol) but still, I guess they just wanted to tease it and give us confirmation something is going on... So, while completely absent from Gundabad content, the Nameless appear all of a sudden in a Gundabad repeatable mission literally called "Servants of Throkhar" which involves destroying shrines to their lord Throkhar build by the Nameless!
PS2: In one of the Minas Morgul questlines, there was also a mention of the "Kingdom of the Nameless" that the cultists of Minas Morgul tried to access through a sustained portal. We've seen this before with Nameless mob mechanics too, so it implies some inter-dimensionality going on for the Nameless: the Void, lesser void, things beyond the walls of Arda? Who can tell!
D1. What about other Vandassari?
There are still a few of those to fully explore... Rhudaur stone was recently moved by the Angmarim someplace else. Cardolan stone is merely mentioned as shattered during the wars with Angmar but physically nowhere to be found in-game so that's interesting, was it moved? Does it still hold any value if shattered? There is also the Rhovanion stone, the exact location of which we don't know.
D2. Players reported large sleeping cave claws seen in Gundabad.
MoL suggested "there might be a more nefarious plot going on" which seems to be in line with the pattern - since we've already seen some of those sleeping giant cave claws in caves around Elderslade that some of us found strange. Perhaps it connects to Throkhar somehow but no idea really. There is also Pebblewart and Old Stonetooth legend that may come into play.
UNCLEAR
34. Earth and mountain tremors.
What's up with them? The big idea is that something happened in Rhun, including tremors, but they reappear everywhere. There were huge tremors when Iron Garrison fell and orcs descended from the cracks, there were unusual tremors and "the mountains shook" right before Karazgar's attack on Skarhald (which I'm inclined to believe was purely coincidental and nothing to do with Karazgar's little horde of drakes and drakelings!), and of course tremors in Iron Hills that caused damage in Jarnfast that we had to repair and THEN tremors caused by the Nameless in the Howling Pit questline. So many tremors... My guess is it connects to Throkhar but who knows. Someone suggested the destruction of the ring caused some kind of cataclysm which is why the earth shook hence damage in Jarnfast but then again... these tremors seem to reappear so... hmm no idea if Sauron's death was the cause
U1. The Southerners and Southern refugees pouring into Eriador.
In the past the game treated them mostly as these generic brigands who might have come from anywhere (including from the surroundings of Breeland) and, if they came from afar, not being much distinct from other white hand sympathizers like the half-orcs in how they were introduced in quest lines. But the matter is addressed a bit more in Cardolan, which sits closer at Eriador's borders, and they are clearly being framed as refugees and outright deserters, who even have their own captains that deserted alongside them (though these captain guys quickly came under the sway of Saruman and Mordor). The common interpretation would be that they're deserters from Rohan and Gondor, though a bit too well coordinated and the sheer amount is a bit embarrassing for both kingdoms, no? And makes you wonder why nobody ever mentioned something like, well, you know, so many men cowardly abandoned us? We were not even able to enforce service in our military, entire troops deserting? Unless there is something more behind that group, I dunno.
RESOLVED/DROPPED/OPTIONAL BUT STILL INTERESTING
35. The history behind Ungoledain and Gauredain tribes.
We resolved Ungoledain (I guess?) but now that we've seen their connection with Shelob and how it led them to ruin... what of Gauredain? It would be interesting to go back given opportunity and learn more about them, their history, connection to the Vales/later Angmar and what kind of "wolf" power/entity they correlate with... I guess they need to have their equivalent of Shelob? The price to pay for mastering Radagast's gift wickedly though torture and dark arts?
36. Will we ever see Horn and Nona again? Gléowine?
This may be complicated since there are two different outcomes but... I guess it's doable with a little effort and right conditions applied to quests. I would love it at some point.
37. Is Mercy (Gun Ain) going to show up at some point?
Maybe as a quest giver somewhere? Maybe she'll finally find home and live up to her new name?
B10. The orc squad from Deepscrave in Gundabad and the goblin Glaurkup from the epic.
While not necessary, there is always a likelihood that we'll see again some of our pardoned orc allies from Gundabad, they were pretty compelling characters.
B12. I guess the crystal-warg and his cubs from Glovengap in Gundabad may return one day?
Even though it was a very brief meeting he did mention something about helping us someday if we're in need. Pretty poetic and a good storyline hook. Besides, quite interesting character, a warg given 'intelligence' that extinguished some of his violent instincts...
38. Bingo Boffin please?
Because I'm sure we all want even more of Bingo haha, and we want him all to ourselfs, so no more Boffin family maybe just Marigold since she is a perfect fit to be part of a new longer adventure. New journey towards Gondor and Mordor maybe!
39. Speaking of which... what about the Cult of the Blood Eye from Bingo's storyline and the Rothstone?
They were pretty strange and collaborated with both the white hand and mordor orcs. Their connection to the Rothstone was pointed out multiple times but then nothing happened. The Rothstone, which was called "the Skorgrim's Star" by the Dourhands chasing Spalvi, so that's even weirder. Is Rothstone some kind of important, mysterious artifact of unknown origin that could pop up again someday? Maybe someone will pick it up among Draigoch's bones who knows? Hey uh... now that I think of it... *Karazgar* visited Draigoch's corpse not so long ago...
F1. The Ironspan location in Forochel has always been intriguing...
At the end of the day it's nothing but an old dwarven fortress with mobs and location for the mysterious relic but it's been said BOTH that it leads to Forodwaith and that it is the road to Angmar. So with the upcoming connection to the West Angmar in Gundabad... would be nice to see that area of Forochel connected to East Angmar. Or maybe even see a bit of Forodwaith behind that old fortress, who knows.
F2. Blue-crag Goblins.
They were rallied by Skorgrim and allied with the Dourhands, preparing an invasion from the South of Ered Luin. They must have come from somewhere in that direction so that's interesting - with Grey Havens and elven enclaves also existing in the area. Sounds like a context worth exploring once we get to Grey Havens. What happened with that tribe now that Sauron is gone? Are they still allied with some remaining Dourhands who were left behind at Sarnur? Interesting.
F3. Egfrith who escaped and ended up in a cell of Isengard, exclusive to Before the Shadow chapters.
She turned out to be quite naïve (or more likely swayed by his Voice through a very long exposure or something, which cost her some of the brain cells) and escaped to report to Saruman, in favor of his "war on Rohan to help Rohan" by taking the Minhiriath route. Which sounds like a bit of a tease, but then again, she is then found in the special Afterword as a prisoner in Isengard, and then never to be heard of again. PS: MoL mentioned that perhaps she may reappear in the future but if she does you won't be required to be familiar with BtS story.
CLASS PROPHECIES
There are still three unresolved prophecies as of now, and they are mega interesting. My main character is a champ and I still remember the prophecy, hope it's worth the wait and you haven't forgotten, devs
40. Champion prophecy - Sounds like unrelenting assassin, maybe Karazgar.
A shadow beneath the trees -- it moves without sound.
Might will not avail you. It stalks without mercy, unrelenting.
Someone bellows a challenge, and suddenly a beast is by your side…
Whether this beast be friend or foe, I cannot see. I hope you will know the difference.
41. Minstrel prophecy - Cities of Rhun... maybe? Thafar-gathol?
Stairs climb unceasingly into the heights.
A city sleeps, its inhabitants gone.
But not all, not yet. Those that remain dream a restless dream…
Will your songs stir them to wakefulness, Minstrel? Is that to be your fate?
42. Brawler prophecy... and we have... JUNGLE! Yikes this sounds so exciting!
The tower claws the sky, unhidden by the falling snow.
Hearts hardened by defeat burn there, white-hot with vengeance.
Beware the place of jungle, where rot festers in stately lines.
With friends you dared the climb, yet you are alone in the trap.
GEOGRAPHICAL 'LOOSE ENDS' / SMALLER AREAS WORTH EXPLORING
Southfarthing
- Clearly kind of a 'mandatory' addition someday in the future to achieve 100% Shire completion!
The road to Mithlond = Tower Hills, south of Ered Luin, maybe Far Downs
- Another mandatory addition, no doubt will appear sooner or later! Also, Blue-crag Goblins may reappear, with more context behind them!
The connection to West Angmar
- As already mentioned, perhaps something beyond the mysterious Ironpan in Forochel and even connection to Forodwaith, who knows, there is definitely potential here. Though I wouldn't really imagine it as a direct open-world route to Angmar, probably too big to cover, just a teleport like the one currently in Car Bronach would suffice.
The gap between Angmar/Northdowns/Lonelands/Ettenmoors = so possibly Mount Gram
- This one is more difficult to achieve 'game design wise' due to its surroundings designed for and defined by the Shadow of Angmar storyline and early levels, on the other hand - once carefully laid out and neatly tied in into that old chunk of heavy lore content so it doesn't become completely out of place - it would largely help to flesh out the presence of dwarves at Gabilshathûr who found themselves trapped behind Rammas Deluon in Angmar, maybe with a bit more dangerous and a bit more mountainous and treacherous route that they try to establish through the South but being effectively fought off by Mount Gram forces (the road which they may later use, once secured, to traverse lore-wise towards places like Elderslade and such? during missions and Gundabad expedition? so they don't take the long way around though Northdowns/Bree nor the Iron Pass though Car Bronach which is out of the question because it's hostile, uncharted territory). Not to mention significant Rhudaur ruins, painting Agamaur as a bit less of a "closed off territory" and more of a "Rhudaurian backyard and frontline" and perhaps a decent 'lead-up' storyline to Ettenmors PvMP - the invasion of joint Angmar/Mount Gram forces in that direction, most likely towards Rivendell? Clearly more difficult to achieve because requires a decent plan but definitely one of my top fave filling-the-gaps candidates in Eriador left standing!
The physical road from Rivendell to Ettenmoors, if feasible
- Would be perfect as a mini region on the map of Trollshaws, with some semblance of free people settlers present (akin to the Angle) that may seamlessly flow into Ettenmoors and why there are free people/hobbits there, preferably with a new Western approach to Misty Mountains included because it was once a well-travelled road towards Helegrod, for example? Because I find it a bit silly that everyone who wants to take the Misty Mountains path towards the Vales of Anduin, be it a Bree merchant or a dwarven lord, has no choice but... party at Elrond's for a night? In his "hidden" valley?
The piece of land between the Gate of Moria, Southern Eregion and Enedwaith (apparently it is already laid out because it was an unfinished version of early Dunland?)
- Less likely but a possibility. Cuan-lûth in the Angle must have come from somewhere but they are the newly introduced clan. Maybe from here?
Anything West of Enedwaith/extension of Dunland
- Less likely but a possibility. Cuan-lûth in the Angle must have come from somewhere but they are the newly introduced clan. Maybe from here?
South of Dunland/the West-March of Rohan
- Might be interesting to explore, in order to come back to some of the Rohan matters and Theodred/Erkenbrand background, also to achieve a 100% completion of Rohan landscape. The possible road to Far West Gondor.
Middle-Mirkwood, the Narrows and the East Bight
- Landscape connection between the ruined Dol Guldur map and Strongholds of the North. The ideal starting point would be in the Narrows, perhaps the road towards the East Bight and Eastern lands.
Between Grey Mountains, Erebor and Iron Hills
- The missing part of the eastern "road to Angmar" that the Zhelruka in Iron Hills were unable to dig out (yet) so they took the long way around through Erebor.
The furthest reaches of Fangorn
- The missing part of the mountains in Rhovanion, and a connection between Isengard/Fangorn/Wildermore/Great River/Lothlorien.
More land beyond Car Bronach = a little bit more of Iron Pass before the teleport
- There is evidently more of Angmar activity in the area and Iron Pass seems like a huge area that could easily house additional forts and towers. Maybe a good area candidate to deal with all of those remaining/dropped/unexplained Angmar Reborn 2.0 plots?
OH AND OF COURSE...
WE GOTTA FINISH THE BOOKS, NATURALLY!
I don't mind it being delayed for so long but even with the "pause button" rule and our character's ability to appear everywhere at all times... I gotta admit War of the Three Peaks and Gundabad reclamation should be happening after the proper end of the third age, after The Scouring of the Shire and Saruman's death. Such a big event and all out war between two races... that's not a matter of days or even months, not something that would go unnoticed. You would think Gandalf or Aragorn or Gimli or elves from nearby Greenwood would be interested or concerned, at the very least. The return of "Epic" questline with the Wedding (titled Volume V - The Peace of Middle-earth) and apparent "separation" from the newdays volumes, as well as Faramir's love doubts about Eowyn (even though they've been together though entire Minas Morgul expansion and she said they'll be together until it's healed... which means for life, she said she wants to marry you! Faramir, you dumbass!), all of this makes the chronology even more contrived atm. I *can* get my head around it but honestly, it kinda destroys the feel and flow... if we must wonder... when exactly we are in relation to Mordor and other recent storylines. Quite a maze!
Also, note that Nurn had very little foreshadowing so... there will be *even more* new plot threads introduced sometime soon to direct us there when the time comes. My bet is with Gandalf in Thuringwath but who can tell for sure. So this list is only going to grow, apparently.
PS: To keep track of many Rangers and their fates, I recommend this thread: https://forums.lotro.com/forums/show...ir-fates/page3
