Malbeth's Study

"Thus spoke Malbeth the Seer, in the days of Arvedui, last king of Fornost."
—Aragorn

Malbeth the Seer was the royal counsellor of Arthedain in the last days of the Northern Kingdom, a very wise man with the guilt of prophecy who would foresee events pertaining to the death of Arvedui and Aragorn entering the Paths of the Dead. He had his own dedicated study in which he kept a library of books, all of which contained a vast amount of wisdom which he shared to anybody who was willing to learn.

Malbeth’s Study is a support structure for the Adventure: Arthedain subfaction based on Gondor. It is analogous to the Rivendell Library in that it contains many bonuses that are available to improve the faction.

## Function

Malbeth’s Study allows the following upgrades to be bought.

**Númenórean Engineering (W) –** The exhaustive treatise on Númenórean engineering techniques was salvaged before Akallabêth. Unlocks Númenórean Engineering ability, which when activated causes structures in a wide radius around the Study to gain +150% armor against siege, fire, and magic damage for 30 seconds. Unlocks Fire Stones for Arnor Trebuchets. Cost: 1300.

**Martial Prowess (E)** – A collection of writings authored by the many Master-at-Arms at Annúminas, extensively detailing training drills for prospective soldiers. Troops of Arthedain gain an additional +15% damage and armour when in formation. Cost: 800.

**Cardolan Agriculture (R)** – Documentation of various agricultural techniques, collected before the fall of Cardolan. Increases Arnorian Mill production by 15%. Friendly units near Arnorian Mills gain +15% movement speed. Cost: 1500.

**Vision of the Seeing-Stone (T)** – Authored by Malbeth himself, this book is essential material for those wishing to learn the secrets of the Palantiri. Allows Arthedain Watchtowers to purchase the **Eye of Amon-Sûl** ability to temporarily spy on target location. Cost: 1000.

**Memory of Anadûnê (S)** *–* A collection of writings on the Kingdom of Númenor. Timelines, memoirs and poetry, gathered by Elendil, before departing to Middle-Earth. Monument to Tar-Araval’s area of effect and rate of healing is increased by 50%. Prerequisite to Blades of Westernesse upgrade. Cost: 1000.

**Blades of Westernesse (D)** – Requires Memory of Anadûnê. Written by the Dúnedain of Cardolan, this tome describes the forging of weapons capable of cleaving the spells knitting Angmar’s unliving servants to the Witch-king will. Dúnedain are permanently equipped with Blades of Westernesse, dealing additional magic damage and bonus damage vs. Undead units. Cost: 2000.

## Abilities

**Númenórean Engineering (W)** – When activated, causes structures in a wide radius around the Study to gain +150% armor against siege, fire, and magic damage for 30 seconds. Left click to activate.

## Strategy

Malbeth’s Study is an incredibly useful support structure for allowing Adventure: Arthedain to reach the late game thanks to the available upgrades. **Númenórean Engineering** provides both offensive and defensive utility since it allows Arnor Trebuchets to get Fire Stones and can significantly increase the durability of structures in a radius for a short period of time. **Martial Prowess** increases the power of Arthedain units in certain formations, making them more effective in battle overall. **Cardolan Agriculture** permanently increases the resource production of Arnorian Mills and increases Arthedain units’ mobility around them. **Vision of the Seeing-stone** grants Arthedain Watchtowers additional scouting utility by allowing them to lift part of the shroud for 60 seconds. **Memory of Anadûnê** increases the power of the Monuments of Tar-Araval by increasing both their area-of-effect range and unit regeneration capabilities. **Blades of Westernesse** is a very powerful although expensive upgrade that allows Arthedain units to deal additional magic damage with their attacks and do bonus damage vs. undead units, making it especially powerful against factions like Dol Guldur and its Adventure: Angmar subfaction. It is recommended that Malbeth’s Study be placed in the back of the base and surrounded by other buildings so that it is easier to defend and can also protect nearby buildings with the active effect of **Númenórean Engineering** if necessary.