Unlocking rare equipment in Middle-earth: Shadow of War requires players to solve hidden environmental puzzles scattered across Mordor. Among these challenges, the Nurnen Ithildin door poem stands out as a memorable obstacle featuring the iconic line "Let our foes fortify with iron and stone". Understanding how to locate each word fragment and arrange them correctly is key to acquiring legendary gear for your journey.
Locating Ithildin Fragments in Nurnen
Before attempting to open the door, players must hunt down six hidden Ithildin fragments scattered across the region. Cleansing the local Haedir towers reveals these collectible locations on your map, making them significantly easier to track down. Approaching each marked location and activating Wraith Vision reveals the glowing Elven script painted onto walls and stone structures.
Once identified, players must complete a quick minigame by adjusting the analog controls to bring the ancient word into focus. Gathering all six fragments in Nurnen automatically updates your quest log and unlocks the path toward the hidden door.
Finding the Hidden Barrow Door
The Ithildin door in Nurnen is concealed inside a subterranean barrow cavern hidden deep within the landscape. To reach the entrance, navigate toward the eastern area of the region near the rushing rivers. Look for a shadowy path located to the left of the large waterfall that leads inside the mountain.
Stepping into the barrow chamber reveals the massive sealed door adorned with missing slots of poetry. Activating Wraith Vision near the threshold initiates the puzzle interface, allowing you to insert your collected fragments into the stanza.
Solving the Nurnen Poem Solution
Completing the poem requires arranging the six recovered words into their proper grammatical sequence. The correct order of words for this puzzle is Iron, Serpents, Avail, Woe, Hordes, and Claim. Placing these terms unlocks the full verse: "Let our foes fortify with Iron and stone / Let them summon scabrous Serpents, feral beasts / It will Avail them nought".
The concluding lines read: "Across the Ages none / Have an army that wield such weapons, such Woe / Such doom against the dark-benighted Hordes who dare / Claim dominion over a Mordor soon bright". Entering the final word triggers a short animation as the ancient stone mechanism slides open.
Claiming the Legendary Gear Reward
Stepping inside the freshly opened chamber rewards players with a powerful piece of equipment from the Bright Lord set. In Nurnen, solving this specific riddle grants the Bright Lord's Bow, an exceptional ranged weapon. Equipping multiple pieces from this legendary set grants bonuses that enhance Wraith abilities during battle.
In addition to gear, unlocking the barrow creates a convenient new fast travel point for future regional exploration. Returning to these locations during late-game content ensures your legendary equipment remains upgraded to match higher character levels.
