Neither he nor Frodo knew anything of the great slave-worked fields away south in this wide realm, beyond the fumes of the Mountain by the dark sad waters of Lake Núrnen; nor of the great roads that ran away east and south to tributary lands, from which the soldiers of the Tower brought long waggon-trains … Continue reading QOTW: The Land of Sorrow →

When day came at last the hobbits were surprised to see how much closer the ominous mountains had already drawn. The air was now clearer and colder, and though still far off, the walls of Mordor were no longer a cloudy menace on the edge of sight, but as grim black towers they frowned across … Continue reading QOTW: Under the Ash Mountains →

I like it when a scenario breaks the regular flow of the game, offering a unique hook to the quest that makes it stand out among all others. Temple of the Deceived is one of the most recognisable cases of this, as it is probably better known as "That one quest with the map". This … Continue reading Nightmare Temple of the Deceived →

The Wainriders were a people, or a confederacy of many peoples, that came from the East; but they were stronger and better armed than any that had appeared before. They journeyed in great wains, and their chieftains fought in chariots. Stirred up, as was afterwards seen, by the emissaries of Sauron, they made a sudden … Continue reading QOTW: Challenge of the Wainriders →

These Men were short and broad, long and strong in the arm; their skins were swart or sallow, and their hair was dark as were their eyes. Their houses were many, and some had greater liking for the Dwarves of the mountains than for the Elves. But Maedhros, knowing the weakness of the Noldor and … Continue reading QOTW: The City of Ulfast →

The Wainriders had mustered a great host by the southern shores of the inland sea of Rhûn, strengthened by men of their kinsfolk in Rhovanion and from their new allies in Khand...Minohtar took command [of the forces of Gondor]. He was a man both valiant and war-wise. The first fury of the onslaught was spent, … Continue reading QOTW: Wrath and Ruin →

Thereafter the fire and smoke went up without ceasing; for the power of Sauron daily increased, and in that temple, with spilling of blood and torment and great wickedness, men made sacrifice to Melkor that he should release them from Death... Those were bitter days, and hate brings forth hate. –The Akallabêth This was the … Continue reading QOTW: The Temple of Doom →

'Things move in the far East beyond the Inland Sea, it is reported; and north in Mirkwood and beyond; and south in Harad. And now all realms shall be put to the test, to stand, or fall--under the Shadow.' –Beregond, The Return of the King Danger in Dorwinion Stats Groups registered: 12 Total attempts: 21 Most attempts: 4 … Continue reading QOTW: Danger in Dorwinion →

His name in youth was Olórin in the West, but he was called Mithrandir by the Elves (Grey Wanderer), Tharkûn by the Dwarves (said to mean "Staff-man"), Incánus in the South, and Gandalf in the North, but "to the East I go not." ... "The North" must refer to the North-western regions of Middle-earth, in … Continue reading QOTW: The River Running →

But his chief peril lay in the south, where the Haradrim had occupied South Gondor, and there was much fighting along the Poros. When Ithilien was invaded in great strength, King Folcwine of Rohan fulfilled the Oath of Eorl and repaid his debt for the aid brought by Beregond, sending many men to Gondor. With … Continue reading QOTW: The Crossings of Poros →