Herbs and Simples

General Quest

Dagoras tells you that one of their younger Rangers is out gathering herbs and simples for future battles. Dagoras feels he needs some help in this matter, and bids you:

"Do whatever he asks of you, though it is likely you will find yourself gathering herbs."

STEPS:

1) Talk to Orthonn. Dagoras says to you:

"I am not certain where he roams at the present, but I believe he is in the Kingsfell, probably somewhere near Gatson's farm."

When trying to find Orthonn, I focused too much on the "Gatson's farm" part of the directions. He is northwest of town (and of the farm), on top of a wall, in a place called Ost Lagoros. On your in-game map, he is smack dab on top of the "D" in "Annundir" (9.4s, 47.3w). He wants you to help gather herbs, so off you go!

2) Collect 5 Meadowsweet-plants. Collect 5 Periwinkle-plants. Collect 5 Butterbur-plants. Orthonn tells you:

"Periwinkle can be found growing from rock outcroppings in the hills of Nan Amlug to the north, near the dwarf-mines of Othrikar. Meadowsweet is found here in the Kingsfell growing at the base of trees on the southern side. I have picked almost all in this area, but I know of some plants in the spider-lair south of Esteldin. Butterbur can be found in Meluinen, not far from the Elf-refuge of Lin Giliath, growing along the waters edge."

I love it when the given directions are so well done that I don't need to add anything! The Butterbur plants are just where Orthonn says they are (13.1s, 45w and 13.7s, 45.9w for two locations).

The same with Meadowsweet; it is at the base of some trees in The Snares, and I was able to get all five without fighting any spiders (11.5s, 43w and 11.4s, 42.9w).

Finding the Periwinkle (6.7s, 44.8w and 6.9s, 44.2w) took me the longest of all the herbs. Stick close to the town, traveling in an east-west direction, and you'll find them all. Note: after I grunted to Brasse about my difficulty in finding Periwinkle, she showed me the spot where they are much easier to collect. From the entrance to Othrikar, take the first set of stairs up to your right. From here, head to the hills above the town, and you should see several (6.4s, 45w).

3) Bring the herbs to Orthonn.

4) After you speak with them and select "Finish Now", you get your coin reward, XP, and either 5 Greater Essences of Athelas or 5 Greater Celebrant Salves.


Special thanks go out to Wren for providing this quest writeup!
Wren has entered 612 LOTRO quests.