North Downs

Description
The North Downs is a location found in Eriador, north of Bree. The North Downs have a history of constant struggle, for in the time of the War of the Ring, this location experienced deep trouble from orcs and other evil creatures, who were spurred on by the news of the cloud in the East. For Angmar, that most evil of realms in Eriador, was located just north of the North Downs, and many evil beings who were struggling to find a purpose in Angmar after the departure of the Witch King finally resolved to invade the lands south of them. Thus, the North Downs became a frontier against this new evil arisen in Angmar, a remnant of the old power of the Witch King called the Shadow of Angmar.

There was still hope though, in that harsh war zone, for the Free Peoples of Eriador waged constant war on the new servants of Angmar and the Witch King. Several towns that had existed in that area for years, and that were now besieged by the servants of the Witch King, found themselves suddenly strengthened by a flow of warriors from all across Eriador.

The southernmost town of the North Downs, closest to Bree-land, was Trestlebridge, an ancient settlement that supervised the Trestlespan. The Trestlespan was a great bridge that was built over a huge canyon that seperated Trestlebridge from the rest of the North Downs. This bridge became a strategic location for the defenders of the North Downs to hold, in their efforts to prevent the encroachment of orcs from the north into Bree-land. Trestlebridge was the final barrier the Ongburz orcs had to pass in order to invade Bree. In the end, they did not succeed in capturing Trestlebridge, and the defenders of the town did not have to destroy the Trestlespan to block the orcs' passage. For just before the final assault came upon the town, fresh warriors arrived from the north, the Rangers of Esteldin, to drive the Ongburz tribe back for the final time.