The hills drew nearer. They made an undulating ridge, often rising almost to a thousand feet, and here and there falling again to low clefts or passes leading into the eastern land beyond. Along the crest of the ridge the hobbits could see what looked to be the remains of green-grown walls and dikes, and … Continue reading QOTW: The Weather Hills →

'You know little of the lands beyond your bounds. Peace and freedom, do you say? The North would have known them little but for us. Fear would have destroyed them. But when dark things come from the houseless hills, or creep from sunless woods, they fly from us. What roads would any dare to tread, … Continue reading QOTW: Intruders in Chetwood →

Saruman laughed. 'You do what Sharkey says, always, don't you, Worm? Well, now he says: follow!' He kicked Wormtongue in the face as he grovelled, and turned and made off. But at that something snapped: suddenly Wormtongue rose up, drawing a hidden knife, and then with a snarl like a dog he sprang on Saruman's … Continue reading QOTW: The Scouring of the Shire →

Far off the shadows of Sauron hung; but torn by some gust of wind out of the world, or else moved by some great disquiet within, the mantling clouds swirled, and for a moment drew aside; and then he saw, rising black, blacker and darker than the vast shades amid which it stood, the cruel … Continue reading QOTW: The Black Gate Opens and Mount Doom Results →

I have made it to the fifth quest of my ultra-campaign: The Caves of Nibin-Dum. What makes this quest notable is that it is the final quest of the Mirkwood Paths campaign -- the first mini-campaign of my ultra-campaign. This means that after defeating this scenario, I reach a checkpoint, regaining any heroes and player … Continue reading Ultra-Campaign Playthrough Series, Part 5: The Caves of Nibin-Dum →

Let me start off by saying that I never intended to use this blog for political statements and try to keep the conversation related to the game as much as possible. But this is the biggest platform I have to voice my opinion, and I feel that I cannot stay silent with the events transpiring … Continue reading Against the Shadow in real life →

After escaping Dol Guldur last week and saying goodbye to the Core Set, I am continuing my ultra-campaign this week with The Oath, the fourth quest of my campaign and the fourth quest of the Mirkwood Paths mini-campaign. When first planning my ultra-campaign, I was most nervous about Journey Along the Anduin and Escape from … Continue reading Ultra-Campaign Playthrough Series, Part 4: The Oath →

Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the overthrow of Barad-dûr. And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone, and at his command … Continue reading QOTW: The Tower of Cirith Ungol Results →

We have arrived at the most difficult quest from the Core Set: Escape from Dol Guldur. I have to admit, I was quite nervous about this quest when I created my ultra-campaign. Dol Guldur is notoriously difficult for solo players, and the deckbuilding restrictions that my campaign rules introduce do not make matters easier. My only hope was that FFG's revised campaign rules for the … Continue reading Ultra-Campaign Playthrough Series, Part 3: Escape from Dol Guldur →

And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far … Continue reading QOTW: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields Results →