Arnor, also called The Kingdom of the North, was established by the Numenoreans after the sinking of the island of Númenor. Ruined by a 700 year war with the Witch-king and division among the royal house, Arnor is a largely desolate land haunted by Orcs, Wargs, and other fell beasts. Far in the North, at the Icebay of Forochel, a new darkness has made its home in the fortress called Atalantë.

In the northwestern corner of Middle-earth lies Eriador. The gently rolling hills in the west are home to Hobbits and the men who live around Bree. To the east of Bree, marshland become craggy cliffs filled with treacherous passes and malicious creatures. Rivendell marks the end of Eriador and the edge of the wild lands beyond.

An empty swatch of wilderness to the west of the Misty Mountains is all that remains of this once thriving part of Middle-earth. The glorious realms of the Elves and Dwarves were destroyed long ago by Sauron and the Balrog. Both civilizations retreated to Eriador and Rhovanion. Now there is nothing in Eregion except silence.