The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Land of Sorrow
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Land of Sorrow Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Difficulty
Difficulty Level = 9
Do Not Read the Following Until the Heroes Have Won This Quest
The Easterlings were wholly unprepared for the heroes' sudden attack; they thought themselves safe from all harm here in the land of Mordor. The heroes used this to their advantage when they launched their assault. Though the Easterlings far outnumbered them, they were used to whipping prisoners and shooting escapees - they could not match the ferocity of the heroes' attack, or stand before their wrath. Those that didn't die dropped their weapons and fled back to Dol Rhugar.
Once the fighting was done, the prisoners rallied around the heroes, who had unlocked their chains with keys taken from fallen guards. Former slaves rubbed their wrists and ankles as they looked around themselves in disbelief. None of them could have ever imagined that help would reach them all the way in Mordor.
"Thank ye, lads," said an elderly Dwarf named Farin. Years of captivity had nearly broken his pride, but when the fighting started he was one of the first to lift a weapon and join in. "I never thought I'd get the chance to make these slavers pay."
"Yes, thank you!" spoke an Elf. His name was Edrahil. "I was captured at Amon Lanc and brought here. It has been so long since I have seen the forest that I was nearly lost to despair. Did my lord Thranduil send you?"
"Nay," said one of the heroes. "We have come to Mordor seeking vengeance against the Thane of Nurn for his crimes against Dorwinion. We knew nothing of your captivity until we came upon you just now."
"You are too few to assault the Thane's stronghold of Dol Rhugar," said a Gondorian man named Arador. He had fought valiantly alongside the heroes once the battle began.
"We had not planned to lay siege to his fortress when we first pursued Ulchor," said one of the heroes. "Our plan was to come upon him unlooked for in the land where he felt safest and least expected an attack. But all of that changed when we found you."
"We are grateful for your intervention," said Edrahil. "But it will count for naught if Ulchor is not defeated. Otherwise, he will surely gather his army and hunt us down."
"Aye," said Farin, "He would not remain Thane of Nurn for long if Sauron learned that he had let his prisoners escape. He'll come for us, alright."
"Then we must get you to safety!" urged one of the heroes, feeling responsible for the fate of these people.
"There is no safety in Mordor," replied Arador. "There is only one thing we can do: attack Dol Rhugar."
"What?" said Farin in disbelief. "Are you mad?"
"No," answered Arador. "Ulchor will expect us to run. He will not expect us to marshal our forces for an assault."
"That's because it is folly," urged Edrahil. "Even if we all had weapons and armor, we'd still have no way to breach the walls of Dol Rhugar."
"But we do," said Arador. "There are other prisoners within the city; slaves who are made to serve Ulchor and his lieutenants. I used to be one of them until I was sent to the fields for displeasing my master. While I was working in the city, I discovered a secret entrance long forgotten by the people there. I can use it to enter the city at night while you gather your forces nearby. Once inside, I will find others to help me open the gate and signal you to attack. We can be inside the city before the alarm goes up."
Farin grinned. "I'm beginning to like this plan," he said.
"But what do we hope to accomplish once inside?" asked Edrahil.
Arador motioned to the heroes and replied, "These brave companions showed us what only a few can achieve with surprise and determination on their side." He looked around at all of the freed captives gathered around them, and said, "Just imagine what all of us together can achieve."
Edrahil smiled and nodded.
Farin laughed and said, "Then let's get moving. It will be dark soon."
The story continues in "The Fortress of Nurn," the sixth Adventure Pack in "The Vengeance of Mordor" cycle.