Annúminas in LOTRO

Annúminas, a Potted History

As I said earlier, it was the capital of Arnor, but that was before the Dúnedain were forced by the Enemy to relocate to Fornost⁽¹⁾. It was founded by Elendil after the destruction of Númenor⁽²⁾. It also housed one of the Palantíri⁽³⁾, the seeing-stones – and this one does feature in the Shadows of Angmar Epic quest The Plan Carried Out in LOTRO. The Sceptre of Annúminas was the symbol of the right to be King of Arnor and later, the leaders of the Dúnedain⁽⁴⁾. This was handed to Aragorn II Elessar by Arwen after she and Elrond arrived at Minas Tirith, indicating that he had earned the right to be King of Arnor as well as Gondor (and therefore also the hand of marriage of Arwen).

A Bit of Fun From LOTRO

During the Epic when you (and what will become the Fellowship of the Ring) arrive in Rivendell, you get to see how the others are using their time in Imladris. One of the tales involves Merry and Peregrin who decide, without asking, to borrow something rather important from Elrond.

Elrond: ‘You say Peregrin Took borrowed a walking-stick from this library? There is no such item kept here. Surely the young hobbit did not mistake the Sceptre of Annúminas for a common walking-stick?

LOTRO Quest: Foreward: The Walking-Stick

So it really cannot be understated quite how important the Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor were in the history of Middle-Earth. And as you venture into the battles in Annúminas, you can begin to understand why the Dúnedain there are seeking to protect it from the Enemy.

Peregrin Took uses the Sceptre of Annúminas as a Walking-Stick in LOTRO!

Wardens of Annúminas Reputation

Wardens of Annúminas Reputation from Evendim Deeds

If you’re just starting Evendim, you may notice that the reputation faction in the region is the Wardens of Annúminas. However, all deeds within Evendim grant reputation with this faction, not just those in the City itself. In fact, there is so much to do and so many deeds that you’re likely to hit Kindred even before you reach Annúminas – assuming you do all the quests anyway.

What About Oatbarton?

Dusk over Oatbarton in Evendim

So, Oatbarton is an unusual case because it’s in the Evendim questpack, but is a Hobbit village. Spiders near Oatbarton actually count towards the Shire Spider-slayer Deed. Once you have left Oatbarton and begun to travel North, then the creatures begin to trigger and count towards Evendim Slayer targets.

When and How to reach Annúminas

Once you are around Level 39 you’ll match most of the enemies within the City. However, please bear in mind that some enemies are of Signature strength and certain named foes may have an even stronger rating. Not all quests are soloable so do be careful reaching the Ranger camp! You are fairly safe if you stick to the obvious road on the map.

By Horse Taxi

Swift Travel from Tinnudir to Annúminas

The safest way to initially start Annúminas is to use the Horse Taxi. If you speak to the Stable-Master at Tinnudir you can ride to Echad Garthadir, the Dúnedain camp. Swift Travel is the only option in both directions.

On Foot

Myrlas outside Annúminas Gate

You can enter the City from around (17.6S, 67.0W) in the Men Erain area of Evendim. You will receive a “warm” welcome by the Angmarim if you’re within eight levels of them. They start at around L37 but are mostly L38-40, for your information.

Milestone

Milestone at Echad Garthadir

Once you are there, you may wish to use the Milestone (19.1S, 71.0W) – if you don’t have the one at Tinnudir set anyway. You need not use both. There is also a Hunter’s Campfire and Summoning Horn at Echad Garthadir.

By Boat?

No, you cannot reach Annúminas by boat. Once you arrive it kinda becomes obvious as to why – there is no safe approach to the City via Lake Evendim. If the Swift Travel option is not open to you, you will need to either battle through to Echad Garthadir, or pay 1×. In both cases, please make sure you click the Stable-Master at the Dúnedain camp so Swift Travel is available to you next time!

Echad Garthadir

Your “base camp” during your time in Annúminas is Echad Garthadir (the entrance is around 19.0S, 71.0W). It has:

• Quest-givers (including the two repeatables)
• Barter Vendors
• General Supplier (and Repairs)
• Milestone, Campfire and Summoning Horn already mentioned.

You will also notice that the entrance periodically comes under attack from the forces of Angmar. While other locations may change hands as the two sides battle for Control of Annúminas, Echad Garthadir is always safe. Inside its walls, anyway!

Echad Garthadir

Layout Map

I mentioned earlier that Annúminas is its own questing area, and this is further emphasised when you see it has its own map. You can view this either below or to the right, depending on your screen size.

Navigating Annúminas

That said, I would give you a bit of a warning: the map is overly simplistic! It is a ruined city with some routes open and some decidedly not. What is obvious on the map, however, is obvious in-game: the bridge North and the sole marked road. I would suggest picking up just a small number of quests at Echad Garthadir to give yourself time to learn the layout.

What I’ve Labelled

On this map, I’ve shown the only route in by foot (in the East), the location of the Dúnedain camp of Echad Garthadir and also the Annúminas Control points.

Annúminas - with its control points and safe camp marked.

As I begin to cover the deeds in the City of Kings, I’ll add more specific maps.

Enemies in Annúminas

Here you are mostly facing Angmarim of varying strengths. Some of these are named and fall into Deeds and/or specific quests. If you are here on your own, be forewarned that it is challenging on-level. While some quests are soloable, it’s easy to stumble into foes that may be designed for small fellowships. It’s been a while since I was here on-level, but I believe it likely I brought along a healer Skirmish Soldier for my Guardian.

Watch Out for Gertheryg

As well as an array of physical combat and sorcerer enemies, you will see the giant Gorthorog Warriors. These are part of the overall Slayer of Evendim deed as the plural of Gorthorog is Gertheryg.

Enemy Levels

I know I’ve already said it, but it bears repeating – especially if you skipped to this section. While some enemies may be 37-38 and normal strength, most are at or near Level 40 and at least Signature strength.

Elder Angmarim Brawler

Elder Angmarim High Priest

Elder Angmarim Lookout

Elder Angmarim Venom-Master

Gorthorog Warrior

What is “Control of Annúminas”?

The Benefit of Control

If the Free Peoples do indeed control the three points then all players in the region receive +25% Reputation Bonus on Enemy Kills. Off-hand, the only foes I remember granting reputation directly were Grave-Robbers, but I think it may be all humanoid enemies. I’ll try and check this out if I have a character within the level range but not max rep with the Wardens of Annúminas.

How to Take Control of Annúminas

It’s quite simple really – if you have the skill, or are overpowered, or have friends who can help. Or any combination of those three. All you have to do is:

Head to a Red Control Point

In this case it’s Tirband under the red symbol.

Defeat all the Enemies There

Yay, the added bonus of Tirband is an Elite-strength leader guarding it. You’ll need confidence or friends here. Defeat all foes here, to turn the control point blue.

The Dúnedain Claim Your Victory

Once you have, some Dúnedain will appear, congratulate you and stand guard until the NPC Angmarim defeat them. I hope you count yourself a Warden of Annúminas at this point – if not your victory has been dedicated to others!

Control of Annúminas Tooltip

Repeatable Quests

If you end up running the deeds here in Annúminas, you may also want to pick up any daily repeatable quests at the same time. Whether you want it for XP purposes, bonus reputation, or because waiting for an enemy to respawn is boring, you may want options. One of these is Solo, the other is Small Fellowship – which may mean solo depending on your level and gear and how well spec’d your Skirmish Soldier is, or if you’re a confident Lore-Master.

• Agarochir, Keeper of Tirband, Small Fellowship (Wiki)
• Time of Need, Solo (Wiki)

You can also find full fellowship quests in Glinghant and Haudh Valandil.

Deeds of Annúminas

Completion of Angmarim-slayer and Gertheryg “slayer” (Brutes from the North) are both required to complete the Slayer of Evendim Deed.

Over the coming weeks I will be writing guides covering all the Annúminas Deeds, so stay tuned please!

Earnable Titles in Annúminas

• The Righteous: Complete the Spirits Aiding Angmar Deed
• Defender of Annúminas: Complete the Leaders of the Invasion Deed
• Protector of Annúminas: Complete the Leaders of the Invasion (Advanced) Deed
• The Merciful: Complete the Invaders from Angmar (non-Advanced) Deed
• The Formidable: Complete the Brutes from the North (non-Advanced) Deed
• Sage of the Sunken City: Complete the Markers of the Sunken City Deed
• Warden of Annúminas: Complete these Deeds:
  • Brutes from the North (Advanced)
  • Invaders from Angmar (Advanced)
  • Leaders of the Invasion (Advanced)
  • Spirits Aiding Angmar
  • Markers of the Sunken City
  • The City of Kings

Currencies and Rewards Vendors

Before I launch into this, please note this post will only be covering rewards directly in/from Annúminas. If you’re looking for the general reputation items available in Evendim, then the Wiki has you covered.

Trading in Annúminas

Barter Vendors at Echad Garthadir

In Echad Garthadir there are a number of barter vendors, some of which sell Level 50 stat/class gear. No doubt when Shadows of Angmar first came out it was among the best gear you could have acquired (I know nothing about raids now, least of all then!). Now, most pieces here may not even be cosmetics you’re interested in – though I do, in fact, use the Circlet of the Seven Stars. Of course, if you’re a completionist, or using a Stone of the Tortoise to do on-level content, then this may still be of interest to you.

Anyway, these vendors sell various items which can be acquired with Marks and Medallions . Alternatively, you can trade Writs of Annúminas instead of the Marks portion of the price.

The Three Sets Available

Seven Stars Set (Light Armour)

Seven Stars Armour/Gear Set

Nenuial’s Set (Medium Armour)

Nenuial's Armour/Gear Set - Annúminas

West-Tower Set (Heavy Armour)

West-Tower Armour/Gear Set

The Cloaks

Probably now, the best items here are the cloaks. I’ve shown them here in their initial colours, then with a random dye, so you can see which bits are dyable and how well they take the colour.

Cloak of the Seven Stars

Cloak of the Seven Stars

Cloak of the Seven Stars, dyed Black

Nenuial’s Cloak

Nenuil's Cloak

Nenuil's Cloak, dyed White

Cloak of the West-Tower

Cloak of the West-Tower

Cloak of the West-Tower, dyed Sea Blue

The Heck’s a Writ of Annúminas?

Great question, let’s look it up! I don’t give knowledge because I know it all (hahaha, oh dear) but because others have gone before me. If all you care about is the cosmetic aspect to anything above and do not need the stat gear, then skip to Ceremonial Annúminas Cosmetics ↓. Still here? Okiday.

Before we get to the Writs, there’s a process to follow:

1. Obtain Marks of Triumph
I would be surprised if many even remember these. The reason is that Marks of Triumph are awarded for revisiting Epic Book instances through Reflecting Pools. These region-specific pools allow you to replay past content.

If you do this and you acquire 16 × Marks of Triumph you can proceed to the next step.

Read More (Wiki) →

2. Sealed Writs
Once you have your 16, you can then trade these for a Sealed Writ of Annúminas. The nearest trader for our purposes here is Maleniel at Tinnudir in Evendim.

3. Trade-In Your Writs
Open your Sealed Writ to receive the (unsealed) Writs of Annúminas Finally we can then trade your Writs of Annúminas in the City for armour items. Note: you cannot use these to obtain food or crafting scroll-cases.

Ceremonial Annúminas Gear

But, let’s be honest. Nobody uses the Reflecting Pools do they? And it is easier by far to complete some LOTRO deeds for the Marks and/or Medals to gain the currency. That, and at Skirmish Camps you can often get “Ceremonial” versions of the armour sets. These are cosmetics only but cost a fraction of the Marks and Medallions compared to the ones at Echad Garthadir.

Each piece of the combat-gear set costs 20 and 55. Given that a medallion costs 50 marks, if you had to do it via exchanging Marks, then each piece would cost an eyewatering 1,055 Marks! Compare this to Ceremonial Annúminas Cosmetics, which cost 12 and 162, or 762 Marks. If you don’t need the stats, don’t pay Annúminas pricing, folks!

Just seek out the Cosmetics NPC at a Skirmish Camp and select Annúminas Cosmetic Clothing options from the drop-down menu.

LOTRO Ceremonial Annúminas outfit cosmetics are available from Skirmish Camps

TL;DR Annúminas in LOTRO is Rich in Lore, so Go Explore

As you can see there is a shedload of stuff to do, explore and learn in the City of Kings. I will begin to get down to the nitty-gritty next time around. But if you do nothing else but come and do the exploration deeds and read the lore in the quest text, a trip to Annúminas is worth your while. Well, what are you waiting for? If it’s the ejection of the Angmarim from the City, you’ll be waiting…well…forever!

Footnotes

1. https://forums.ardacraft.me/t/annuminas/911 (↑ Return)
2. https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Ann%C3%BAminas (↑ Return)
3. https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Palant%C3%ADri#History (↑ Return)
4. https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Sceptre_of_Ann%C3%BAminas (↑ Return)