First Gear, The

General Quest

Bavor is found inside Thorin's Hall. When you enter, go down the steps and head toward the great statue to the north. Just to the right of that, near the wall, stands Bavor.

He is trying to repair an ancient device...

"Greetings! I wonder if you could lend me a hand? I've been trying to repair this device, which opens access to the old Vault of the Mountain, but some key pieces, ancient gears, were removed and scattered long ago to prevent the Dourhands from getting their grubby hands on the vault treasure"

You had me at "vault". Predictably, you are asked to find the gear. The first gear, says Bavir, was hidden in an old cave in the Winterheight. Well, that tells you immediately that there will be more than one gear, but clearly you have to prove your worth before he'll tell you about the others. Get going!

1. Find the first gear.

The old cave near the Winterheight is the Rockbelly Pit, which you are probably familiar with already. Head straight south out of Thorin's Hall and south-east from Frerin's Court. Find the path that leads to the Elven refuge of Edhelion, and take it up the hill just to the top. Turn right and you will be in Winterheight. Head west to the cleft in the rocks to enter the Rockbelly Pit.

You should have no trouble inside, as the cave-burrowers are quite peaceable. Turn left and take the thin wooden bridge across the chasm, then head down the only path available. The gear you seek is in a chest at the very bottom of the cave. It should be easy to see.

1. Return to Bavor

Retrace your steps to Thorin's Hall and return triumphant to Bavor. See what else he has in store for you!

Special thanks go out to Brasse for providing this quest writeup!
Brasse has entered 66 LOTRO quests.