An Shêru
An Shêru
Mechanics: The developer for this region went with a classic technique from Trollshaws by making a few quests available just by defeating certain enemies like wights, sûlokil, and kergrim. Though, perhaps the more notable feature is how more vibrant characters act out in scenes both in story instances and landscape. There is a bit more theatrical flair as characters express and interact with each other as you approach a location. There's a couple of other surprises too like being teleported around as you complete certain quests and get handed a Mumak Trainer Horn in a failed attempt to tame some beasts.
"I will cut you in on the profits if you can take the horn and return here with a Mûmak!" - Namâdi
Travelers: The appearance of rangers is uncanny as you meet Rhadrog and Faeron playing an important role in aiding those oppressed in this region. It all starts with Khagâmi being sent on an important errand on behalf of Doorward Azagâya when bandits attack in the middle of the night (which is now guaranteed to be during the night since Update 46.1). They ask for your help in following a strange set of footprints that leads you to see Nabatínu and other Játsakori refugees hiding away inside the crypt that the bandits are too afraid to approach. He shares a scathing tale of those who worked as thralls in the mines for the Ordâkhai. Your assignment to break Nabatínu's wife Kugâna and the others free seemed rather straightforward until you saw Ombátha, the leader of the Bokhóri, cast a spell on the workers. Their minds and will to escape dulled before your very eyes. You break open what iron cages you find and take the fight straight into the Kôth Rau, the Wailing Hold instance.
"While they are gathered here, we will renew our will upon their minds." - Ombátha
Dwarves: Khagâmi eventually reveals to you that their goal is to commence trade with the dwarves, and it seems that one of them named Mêshaget is also in accord with the arrangement. Unlike previous regions where the more important questlines are marked in parts, the order of quests here aren't clearly identified. One quest that can be obtained at any time appears early in the timeline and is essential to unlock a number of other pivotal quests inside Jiret-menêsh. Although your dwarf guide's attitude towards the leader of Jiret-menêsh might be questionable, all doubt fades away when you learn that Châmelek Gêta is actually Mêshaget's grandmother. She still prefers to keep everyone safe deep inside "The Sheenwall" within the mountain, but the younger generation are more keen in learning what is happening up on the surface. Though your friend conveys some sympathy towards the now exiled Sâdikiz the Sky-hungry, the questionable dwarf ultimately betrays both of you. Whatever happens, the dwarves certainly have someone strong leading them, especially when equipped with the new powerful axe Gôbezhir Firmhand forged in iron from the sky.
Faction Rewards: The most unusual part of the Temámir of Jiret-menêsh for this region is the fact that there are no unique housing decorations available on the quartermaster. Every faction has the option to obtain both Mûr Ghala house themes, crafting materials, an incomparable pocket item of some kind, a pet, and a couple baubles. All housing decorations that replicate the dwarf theme of large structures, stairs, and surfaces you find across Middle-Earth are freely available at the nearby Housing Furnisher. The one unique decoration is the sparkling sands that kicks up a little dust cloud of sand in a small area. Fun Fact: The Kintai property guards and those from the Hunter's Guild are bartered decorations that are not bound.
All the baubles you discover in Kingdoms of Harad are of a different making than the ones introduced in Legacy of Morgoth. Instead of 3-minutes, they only last 8-seconds. They all still have a cooldown of 3-minutes (even if you fail to activate You Stink because a player is too far away). They are designed more like emotes than placeable objects. You cannot obtain more from the barterer once a character uses one. There is a convenient list on the wiki that shows what became available after Update 46.1.
- You Stink launches a ball at the location of a player and doesn't move.
- Laundry Day can only be used on yourself and follows you where you move.
- Viznaks Cure, Sandstorm is Coming, Treasure Hauler, and Idagâl Memento are used on the ground in front of you. The memento gives out a hollow scream.
- Field of Tulips (sneeze), Saffron (roll), Poppies (feint), and Planting Crystals (shrug) has you use an emote (only if you don't move) and display them on the ground. Note: The Daffodil Green Thumb from the Spring Festival retains the Legacy of Morgoth style of bauble for 3-minutes.