Lord of the Rings Online continues its exploring Middle Earth series with a look at Esteldin.

Few know the true nature of the Rangers of the North, those seemingly grim and cheerless Men who lead a secretive life in the wilderness of Eriador. Fewer still know of Esteldín, the hidden gathering place of the Rangers, tucked away in the wild, far from the travels of even the most distant wanderers. Esteldín is as secret and mysterious as the Rangers themselves. To the casual observer, one might see this as simply a place of ancient ruins, constructed long-ago by a forgotten culture in a shallow yet strategic canyon - crumbling towers and unmanned battlements, set amongst the remains of a once-majestic stronghold of soaring ornate arches and strong walls of finely carved stone.

In truth, these are remains of a great city of ancient Arnor, built along the border of the kingdoms of Arthedain and Rhudaur when the threat of war was constant between these two regions long ago. The ruins hold a special place in the hearts of the Rangers in these dark times, for as the power of Angmar again builds in the north, the Rangers remember all too well the destruction caused by the Witch-king in his war against the mighty North Kingdom so many years ago. From this secluded location, it is said that the Rangers coordinate their efforts and amass the findings of their research and travels in order to enact their plans against the the evil that again rises in the North. Of particular note is the Library of Arnor, a central depository of all preserved lore of the Dúnedain of the North.

While Esteldín was created by the designers of The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar, it was drawn from inferences found within the text of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, clues that lead to a dwelling place of the Dúnedain of the North, where Aragorn's mother went to spend her final days among her own people. Players of LOTRO will have to follow in the footsteps of the Rangers if they want to find the hidden refuge of Esteldín.

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