On a time they took a boat and went down to the Gladden Fields, where there were great beds of iris and flowering reeds.
”
–Gandalf in The Fellowship of The Ring, The Shadow of The Past
The Gladden Fields are a marshland in the vale of the Gladden River, and on the banks of the river Anduin. It was there that the One Ring was lost by Isildur, and later found by Déagol, from whom it was stolen by Sméagol, who became Gollum.
The Yellow Iris flower, from which is derived the Gladden Fields' name (in both English and Sindarin) grows here exclusively. Hobbits lived here hundreds of years ago.
Ruined houses can be found in this biome. Most of those are remnants of habitation by the Hobbits who once dwelled in these lands.
Upon entering this biome, the player earns the achievement "Watery Grave". This name is most likely a reference to the slaying of Isildur in the river Anduin of this biome following an ambush by Orcs.
Ruined houses - Ruined, rotten or burnt down houses that contain chests, furnaces, and crafting tables. Most of these are rotten. Reminders of the people who used to inhabit these lush swamplands.
Mobs[]
The only mobs that spawn here are the Orcs and Wargs of Gundabad, albeit only at night unless in an invasion force or as members of a camp.
The Gladden Fields are a lush swampland and host a great variety of trees and small plants among the boggy pools. The trees of this forsaken swamp are mostly deciduous broadleaf trees including oak, birch, willow and the dominant swamp oaks (oaks with vines hanging from them usually found in swamps). Conifers like spruce, pine, and fir grow here as well though. The yellow iris flower is a plant species exclusive to this biome.
