Lord of the Rings - Unearthing Durin’s First Axe Fragment in Moria: A Comprehensive Guide

In J.R.R. Tolkien's epic Middle-earth saga, Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria transports readers to the Fourth Age. This game explores the adventures of a group of Dwarves as they embark on a mission to recover ancient Dwarven artifacts, including the famed Durin’s Axe, from the ruins of Moria.

Durin I, also known as “The Deathless,” was the initial Dwarf to awaken and stumble upon the kingdom of Khazad-dûm, later known as Moria. He established the lineage of Dwarves known as Durin’s Folk, who originally inhabited this ancient realm until they were driven out by the Balrog during the Third Age. Durin's legacy lives on through cherished treasures like Durin's Helm and Durin's Axe. This article serves as a guide for players seeking to obtain the first section of Durin's axe in the game LOTR: Return to Moria.

Where to Find the First Fragment of Durin’s Axe in Return to Moria

When the Balrog invaded Khazad-dûm, Durin I's Axe was shattered into five pieces and scattered across the mines of Moria. The quest to obtain the fragments of Durin’s Axe begins at Ori’s Camp, where players stumble upon a journal containing information about the missing pieces of the axe.

According to the Book of Mazarbul, Balin reclaimed Durin’s Axe and Durin’s Helm during his expedition to restore the Dwarf presence in Moria. He declared himself the “Lord of Moria” and ruled over the Dwarves for five years. However, the Axe was lost once again when the Dwarf colony was destroyed. Players can also discover clues about the whereabouts of the missing fragments of Durin’s Axe within this journal.

The initial part of Durin's Axe can be discovered in the depths of Moria, specifically in The Western Halls near Durin's Highway. The specific area where players can locate the first fragment is called Westgate. Within Westgate, there are dilapidated structures, multiple levels, and a prominent statue in ruins.

As players explore The Western Halls, it is important to be observant of a distinctive icon displayed on the map, depicting a diamond with an axe piercing through it. This icon serves as a guide to indicate the exact position of the first fragment of Durin's Axe.

As players venture through Westgate, they will encounter a structure featuring dual staircases. By utilizing either set of stairs, players can venture upwards to the building's second floor. On this level, the conspicuously notable component of Durin's Axe, the missing fragment, stands apart from the surrounding objects due to its strikingly long, red handle.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

Franchise The Lord of the RingsPlatform(s) PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SDeveloper(s) Free Range GamesPublisher(s) North Beach GamesGenre(s) Survival

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the upcoming release of Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria. I have been a fan of the Lord of the Rings franchise for as long as I can remember, and I am eager to explore the world of Moria in this new game. I am particularly interested in the quest to find Durin's Axe, as I think it will be a challenging and rewarding experience. I can't wait to see what other secrets are waiting to be discovered in the depths of Moria.

I also appreciate that the game is set in the Fourth Age, which is a time period that has not been explored much in other Lord of the Rings games. I am excited to see how the developers have interpreted this time period and what new stories they have to tell. I am also interested in learning more about the new characters that will be introduced in the game. I think it will be fun to see how these characters interact with the familiar characters from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.