Flare for Danger

General Quest

Thain Paladin Took II begins this quest in the Great Smials in Tuckborough. It is part of a long string of quests.

There are some Big Folk – ruffians or brigands, most likely – camping in the south-west part of the Marish, not far from Woodhall. The camp is at Narrowcleeve, and there is a ford near the brink of a waterfall that can bring you up to the heights. I’ve received many complaints about them, and I’ve asked the Shirriffs to deal with them, but assembling enough Bounders has been difficult.

I’ve heard rumours of strange lights in the sky around the Marish. Now that you remind me of those fireworks, I think that perhaps on e of the ruffians must have stolen them from Hyacinth.

Those fireworks could be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Who knows what mischief they could cause with them? We have no time to gather Bounders, now. You must destroy those fireworks at once!

Destroy the stolen fireworks

This step will take a group of 2-4 if you are in the 9-10 level range. If you get lucky and there is a lot of traffic, you can get away with less people. Bring some friends, this part is fun.

To find the ruffian camp, first head north from the Great Smials until you cross the bridge over the small ravine into Tuckborough proper. From here head east along the road. You will pass some small bandit camps to the south surrounded by hedge rows, but just keep going. These are not the bandits we are looking for. Continue until you pass over a small stream on another bridge.

Keep an eye on the right side (south side) of the road. Soon you will see a larger river and the top of a waterfall. You can see a path up into the mountains across the river. Wade across and start to fight your way into the camp.

NOTE FROM WREN, the too-easily lost: there are a number of waterfalls in the southern area, and if you do not start this quest from the location Alluvian gives directions from (The Great Smials), you may find yourself wandering. Or at least, I did. To combat that, do this cheezy in-game map check to see if you are in the correct place. Open up the map. When you are standing still, on a rock in the water near the waterfall, about to go up the path, your red arrow will be just touching the last "R" in" Green Hill Country. You will be a bit south of the "od" in "Woodhall", and your location will be: 34s, 66.1w. Keep heading up the path and you will enter the camp and an area called Narrowcleeve (34.6s, 66.6w). You can also take the route *behind* the camp, which has less mobs to fight through. Either way, you will eventually get to the fireworks, as Alluvian discusses below (35.4s 66.9w).END NOTE FROM WREN

The fireworks you need are in the FAR back of the camp. Pace yourself, and advance with caution as you will often have to face groups of 3 or more level 9 bandits. Keep on the move as well since the ruffian respawn is very quick and it is easy to get swarmed while one of the fellowship is away from keyboard. It is best to make sure everyone has 20-30 mins of time before heading in.

The camp will pass into the mountains a little and then start to head down into a small valley. The fireworks you need are going to be at the far end on the right. They will be in the middle of what looks like a ‘pen’ of ruffians. I guess their boss was tired of them running off. Although there are a LOT of ruffians inside here, you only have to kill 4 or 5 to get to the fireworks.

Run up to the glowing box of fireworks and right click on them. A timer will appear and at the end the fireworks will set off with a blaze of glory setting all the nearby ruffians on fire. It is very amusing to watch. Unfortunately, you have to stick around this area for the box to respawn if the others in your fellowship also need to complete this quest.

When the fireworks are destroyed for everyone who needs them, head back to Thain Paladin Took II.

That must have been a sight to see, perhaps like one of the Old Took’s parties!

I’m very happy you were able to accomplish this important task. You’ve amply repaid the trust Shirrif Smallburrow placed in you, and you’ve earned my respect and thanks as well. Please accept this small reward for your brave deeds.

Special thanks go out to Alluvian for providing this quest writeup!
Alluvian has entered 75 LOTRO quests.