Defending the Herd

General Quest

Turns out that killing those Orcs on Gatson's field only made them more angry, and Gatson feels they will soon raid his herd, "grazing to the south of here." Gatson wants you to help his farmhand Alwin against an Orc onslaught.

NOTE: This is a fellowship quest, and will certainly go quicker and safer with a friend or two along. It will depend on your level, class, and skill. You will not have much time to rest between battles, but my level 30 Hunter had time to get full of focus. It is possible I could have laid down a trap, but not likely, and I did not try. It happens fairly fast, and I did not think that quickly, heh. Although I did solo the fight, a kindly burglar named Evidence put a few hits in for me. She probably felt sorry for me, getting pummeled by some smelly Orcs. I got closer than Alwin did to dying (saved by Merciful Shot!), so I definitely had no trouble maintaining aggro. Your mileage, of course, will vary.

STEPS:

1) Talk to Gatson's farmhand Alwin. Gatson says to you:

"I'd like you to go down there and help my man Alwin defend the herd from those Orcs. Alwin's a fair hand with a bow, but he's no fighter. Them Orcs will finish my herd quick, and maybe worse. Make sure Alwin doesn't get hurt on my account! I think you'd best bring friends with you. I don't think the Orcs will be caught unawares this time."

If this does not sound like an escort mission, I don't know what does. You'll find Alwin in the South Fields (southeast of Gatson) near some regular cows. After you speak with him and select "Continue Quest", you'll need to make sure he doesn't die before the Orcs stop attacking.

2) Defeat the attacking Orcs and protect Alwin and the herd. Alwin will announce: "Look out! The Orcs are coming!" In the distance (from the south), you'll see a group of three level 25-26 Orcs charging, likely two Grim Ongburz and one Dead-Aim Ongburz.

Alwin will fight with you, shooting his bow, but remember not to let him perish, or it's all over! You will need to survive three waves of Orcs, after which Alwin will proclaim:

"I can 'ardly believe we survived. I can't wait to tell Gilmar about this!"

3) Talk to Gatson.

4) After you speak with them and select "Finish Now", you get your coin reward, XP, and you will now be able to take the next quest, Spoiler Raid.


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