Deep in the Lone-lands, a vast marshland stretches across the land, red as the blood that was spilled into its waters during the wars between Arthedain and Rhudaur. The Eglain of Ost Guruth call it the Red Swamp. In the northern reaches of the bog called Agamaur, lie the ruins of an ancient Rhudaurian fortress, now known as Garth Agarwen. Garth Agarwen was one of the chief bastions of the Hill-men of Rhudaur before it fell into decay.

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What no one knew — until it was too late — was that the streams and rivers of the once-beautiful land were inhabited by a River-maiden akin to Goldberry, daughter of the Withywindle in the Old Forest. Blood spilled during the wars poured into her abode, corrupting the water, the land, and finally the River-maiden herself. From this corruption spread the expanse of the Red Swamp, and the River-maiden arose as a dread and dark presence, taking possession of Garth Agarwen.

Garth Agarwen and the corrupted River-maiden play a major role in the epic story of The Lord of the Rings Online^TM: Shadows of Angmar^TM. These ruins and the story told there tie in closely with themes, events, and characters from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Players of LOTRO should gather some friends if they wish to brave Garth Agarwen - and survive.