Fangs in the Dark

The howling of the wolves was now all round them, sometimes nearer and sometimes further off. In the dead of night many shining eyes were seen peering over the brow of the hill. Some advanced almost to the ring of stones. At a gap in the circle a great dark wolf-shape could be seen halted, gazing at them. A shuddering howl broke from him, as if he were a captain summoning his pack to the assault.’ – The Fellowship of the Ring.

After helping the people of Bree fight off the dangerous cultists who were trying to corrupt them, you must rush back towards the Shire, hoping to catch up to Orc-eyes, one of the leaders of the mysterious followers of Gaur.

With the help of Wolfsbane Jack and several other defenders of the Bree-lands, you will need to fend off the packs of hungry wolves who are stalking you relentlessly day and night, attacking suddenly from the shadows, biting and rending at your heels.

A Long-extended Party is pleased to announce Fangs in the Dark, the second adventure pack in the Fell Summer cycle, scheduled for release in late June 2025.To play this scenario, you will also need a copy of The Shire’s Reckoning Deluxe Expansion.

A great ring-wall of stone

But there were many other folk in Isengard. Saruman kept enough wisdom not to trust his Orcs. He had Men to guard his gates: some of his most faithful servants, I suppose. Anyway they were favoured and got good provisions.’ – Merry, The Two Towers

There has long been a debate about which towers are referenced by The Two Towers book title, with one of the main interpretations being that those are meant to be Barad-dûr and Isengard (or, to be more precise, Orthanc).

What we can say for sure is that the stronghold of Isengard was indeed a mighty power during the late Third Age, especially after Saruman, who was given the stewardship of the ancient Númenórean fortress by King Fréaláf and the Steward Beren around T.A 2759, fortified it and made it even stronger with the many arts and skills he gathered in his travels and confrontations with the forces of evil.

But as mighty and knowledgeable as Saruman was, not even he could have run such a vast structure alone. He must have had the help of many skilled artisans, devoted builders, and expert administrators.

To showcase the might of Orthanc and Isengard, we are introducing in this pack some very peculiar cards, starting off with one of the right-hand men who helped Saruman run his stronghold: Castellan Wilhelm [TFS 37], an ALeP-created original character.

The first thing you might notice about Wilhelm is his ability to increase your threat elimination level, doing so by 2 for each ally you control with the word “doomed” in its text box. This ability is meant to allow a player to better absorb the negative effect of the Isengard trait main theme of playing Doomed cards, helping stave off elimination by threat. This ability works with allies like Orthanc Guard [TVoI 4] and Soldier of Isengard [TVoM 57], as well as with Herald of Anórien [TRM 57] and Steward of Orthanc [TH 37]. But note it will not work with allies that temporarily gain Doomed through the effect of Gríma [TVoI 2], since they have Doomed 1 only while they are being played.

The other ability of Wilhelm is to put into play from your collection two specific cards, meant to represent the famed ring-wall that surrounds and protects Orthanc.

These two attachments are not meant to be included in a deck and can be put into play only through Wilhelm’s Setup ability, which attaches them to your play area. Once in play, the two Ring Walls work in concert, providing your allies with a way to better defend by banding together, as well as takind advantage of the Isengard Doomed synergy. Having a repeatable way to allow your allies to pool their defense can be quite the boon, and you will soon have the option to have 4, 5, 6, and even more allies “between your Wall”. Your vast legions will form a mighty and sturdy wall to stave off your doom, using the tools of the Enemy to defeat those who oppose you. 

But worry not, heroes of distant lands, the strength of Isengard does not need to necessarily come at the expense of the other people. So meticulous are the plans laid by the servants of Saruman that all resources needed for their war efforts can be found within the Tower of Orthanc and its ring-wall.

The Tower of Orthanc player objective [TFS 50] is meant to make the Doomed archetype more multiplayer-friendly. No longer will the Hobbit player groan when you amass your Deep Knowledge [TVoI 12] or discover the long-forgotten Legacy of Númenor [TVoI 11] hidden inside your fortress. No longer will Gríma be relegated to a solo player role only. With the Response on Tower of Orthanc, a player who opted in to it can make their Doomed cards affect only themselves, sparing the other players from raising their threat (but also disallowing them to gain any benefit).

Servant of a grim master

“It is finished.”

“And good day to you, Gyra.” Wilhelm looked out of the window for a moment longer, then turned his wheeled chair to face the dwarf standing in the doorway. “That is timely, for Lord Saruman has returned to Isengard. He has just ridden in through the Gate.”

“Then I will report to him directly, rather than his Castellan.” replied Gyra.

Wilhelm smiled as the dwarf’s boots echoed down the stairs of the Tower. He did not mind the discourtesies, for Gyra was discourteous to all save Lord Saruman. Towards him, maker of far greater skill than her own, she acted with a respect bordering on awe.

Wilhelm glanced out of the window once more. The wizard and his retinue were now riding past the orchards and rose gardens that Wilhelm had ordered to be planted and were soon too close to the Tower to be seen anymore. He moved his chair to a table filled with ledgers and writing-gear and bent back to work until such time as he would be called.

Wilhelm made his way to the Lifting Machine that would take him to Lord Saruman’s High Chamber. Pausing before its door he was reminded of the first time he had used it. A time when his master had been more approachable, though no less proud, a time when he had been pleased with the additional freedom this contraption had granted to his Castellan. The machinery had been built and installed by Gyra and the first time Wilhelm had used it to move between the floors of the Tower the dwarf and the wizard had been in attendance. Wilhelm had asked the wizard how it worked. “Magic.” said Lord Saruman, with a hint of a smile on his lips. As the wizard had spoken so, Wilhelm knew he would get no more information from the dwarf and had to content himself with knowing nothing more, not even if that little bit were true. He was, however, never at ease when using this machinery.

“My journey was not without profit.” Lord Saruman was in his carven seat under his White Banner. “Denethor is stubborn, as you know, but he has some wisdom. There is some useful lore too, in the ancient records of the city.” His gaze strayed across the room and rested briefly on a large locked casket set into a niche in the wall. “I called at Edoras on the way. I have not yet seen much of this King of the Horse-lords and wished to ascertain what sort of man he is.  A good enough ruler for such a land, and he may be of use when the time comes. There I also met a young noble who seemed to have some wits and ability. He accompanied me to Minas Tirith and proved his worth with some small tasks I gave him. I have made an agreement with him and so we shall grant him his reward.” The wizard tapped on a parchment on the table beside him. Wilhelm leant forward to read it, noting the sum it mentioned. “So, my Lord, am I to send the agreed upon payment to the Golden Hall, to this Gríma son of Gálmód?” 

“No need.” said Saruman. “In a few days he will visit Isengard. You can pay him then.”

Wilhelm looked again at the parchment. As of late, many such payments were being made from the accounts. Merchants on the North Road, a Captain of Gondor, a trader on the Long Lake, now this courtier from Theoden’s household. Why this need for spies, he thought? Lord Saruman regarded him with a piercing look. “War is coming, Wilhelm. As much as we need to know the ways of our enemies, we need to be sure of our allies, sure of their purposes, sure of their strengths.” As the wizard spoke, Wilhelm felt the wisdom of his words. He nodded, but there still was a little part of his mind which held some doubts and wondered. His own glance strayed to the locked casket, which he had noted fascinated his master so, and considered how Lord Saruman had changed of late. The wizard’s voice broke in on his thoughts. “You are discerning, but also wrong. I have not changed. I have learned more and my wisdom has grown, and thus my perspective has altered. I see things more clearly now. But still I am Saruman, Master of Craft, Skilled in Making and Understanding, here in Middle-earth to deal with Sauron. Now, is there anything of note to report since my leave-taking?”

“The orcs that have moved to the southernmost peaks of the Misty Mountains have taken to raiding the lands about there. I have increased the patrols and spoken with Erkenbrand of the Westfold – he has done the same. For now this has curtailed their pillaging. Our Ring-guards caught two of these orcs. They talked of a Great Leader they call Mugash, who had promised them much loot and an easy life. There is nothing else of great import.” 

“Very well. And what about chasing these orcs from the mountains?”

“They are well hidden in the caves there, and sadly we lost several good soldiers in our first approach. I believe a major assault will be needed to remove them, one which would risk many lives. My counsel is that we contain them until they see that they can get little in return for their efforts. If they begin to doubt the strength of this Mugash, he will not be able to keep his hold over them and they will go back to their holes further North.” 

Saruman nodded. “That may well be. For now we will keep to your counsel. If there is nothing more, you may go.”

“Hail Castellan, a fine day for riding!”

I have been longer than I intended, thought Wilhelm, the guard has changed already. “Hail Bondir. A fine day indeed.” Wilhelm had not merely been out for a gallop for his own pleasure, as he did from time to time, but had been inspecting the farmlands in the Wizard’s Vale. All was well, the crops promised a good harvest and the patrols had not seen any orcs for several days. He smiled at the guard. “It would be kind if you could see that Melloch is fed and watered for me.” 

“It will be my pleasure.”

Wilhelm rode through the Gate and made his steed Melloch halt next to the dismounting mechanism – made for him by Gyra, of course. He undid his harness, grasped a rope hanging from a set of pulleys and pulled himself across and down to his wheeled chair that was waiting to the side. Setting off along the way to the Tower, he saw a cart standing close by the entrance to Gyra’s subterranean workshop. As he neared it Gyra herself appeared, followed by some of her servants, to supervise the loading of some boxes and sacks upon the cart. Once that was done, the Chief Artificer raised a hand in greeting to Wilhelm, climbed on the card next to the driver and set off. Catching a motion in the side of his eye, Wilhelm realised that the Lord Saruman had been standing in the shadows of the Tower, staff in hand, and was now striding away to meet the cart near the northern part of the Ring Wall.

Wilhelm carried on and had just reached his orchards when he heard running feet and then Bondir’s voice again, hailing him. He turned and waited for the guard to approach. “Castellan, a company has arrived. Knights of Rohan who are known to us, bringing grim-looking strangers – travellers from far lands. And also one noble of Rohan, calling himself Gríma son of Gálmód, who wishes to meet with Lord Saruman. They speak of trouble from Dunlendings and look but new-come from battle.” 

“Do they say if these Dunlendings are a threat to Isengard?”

“They think the danger is over for now, Castellan.”

Wilhelm looked northwards, then turned back to the guard. “They will need to be patient if they wish to meet the master of Isengard, for he is about his own business. But send them on to the Tower. Give them my greetings, and say that I will meet them there. They will have rest and refreshment and their hurts tended, if it is needed.” 

“As you command.” Hardly had Bondir acknowledged the Castellan and turned to head back, when they were both startled by a sudden noise. A boom and a crack, coming from the Ring Wall to the North. They both turned to see smoke rising above the hills. Wilhelm looked at the plume – for a moment he half-fancied it had taken the shape of a hand with its palm outward, raised in denial. “So,” said Wilhelm, “it begins.”