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ISENGARD between sunset and sunrise. These spells are Power of the Land, Fog-raising, and Wind-mastery, and making this ability even more powerful is the fact that, when cast from the Star Chamber, all of these spells have their range extended to affect any point in the entire Wizard’s Vale. The third— and considerable—effect of the Star Chamber’s magic is that no one other than the holder of the Key of Orthanc may cast spells, or use any magic at all, for as long as he remains here. For this reason it was here that Gandalf was held captive, far above the basin and far from help of any kind; no chains were necessary to bind him, as no escape was deemed possible. t h e r i n g o f i s e n g a r d ‘It cannot be reached save by passing the circle of Isengard; and in that circle there is only one gate.’ — Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring In addition to providing for Isengard’s defence, the ring-wall’s chambers house a great portion of those who serve the Master of Orthanc. The following sections describe the ring-wall itself, and the structures that are part of it. t h e r i n g-wall ‘A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again.’ —The Two Towers The ring-wall of Isengard describes an almost perfect circle, with Orthanc in its precise centre. This symmetry leads many to assume the wall was man-made, but this is not entirely the case, for the ring was discovered— albeit, in a more natural state—when the first surveying teams arrived to scout locations for the fortress Ciryanar has envisioned. That such a ring would occur naturally suggests to many that Isengard was once the peak of a volcano, long since sunk into the earth so that only the barest tip of its cone juts above the ground. No matter its origin, the rock of the ring-wall is dark, though not precisely the same as the stone of Orthanc. This material is closer to 3 slate in colour, grey and with a subtle blue tinge. It bears a faint odour of chalk, and when shattered splits into thin sheets with razor-sharp edges. The surfaces of the ring are smoother than those of Orthanc, though not perfectly so. They bear no sharp angles or facets, and the curve of the ring is clean and fluid, almost as if the rock were moulded rather than chiselled. The wall is more than 60 feet thick, narrowing only slightly as it rises. It stands roughly 80 feet tall, though it dips in some places as low as 70 and rises to 90 at the towers above the main gate. Where the change in elevation is, steep steps have been carved, producing a series of higher platforms at irregular intervals around the ring. The top of the wall is not level from inner to outer edge, but instead gently depressed, lower at the middle than at either edge. Black iron rails guard both the inner and outer edges of the wall; where the wall is less tall than average, the outer rails are thicker and their posts more densely set for better defence. Both rails have many hooks and rings to support torches, quivers, spears, and other supplies useful for both sentry-duty and defence. Along the inside of the wall—especially where the wall is lowest—ladders of black iron ascend to the heights, anchored with heavy spikes. Although the ring-wall appears solid, it is not. Its interior is honeycombed with passages, even more so than Orthanc’s four piers. Even so, the shortest distance through stone from the outer edge of the ring-wall to any catacomb within, is 12 feet, ensuring that—even if attackers knew precisely where to concentrate their attacks—it would be extremely difficult to breach the rock to the spaces within. Though the exterior face of the ring-wall is breached only by the main gate, the interior face is broken by a multitude of windows and doors. Likewise, trapdoors, chimneys, and vents pierce the top of the wall. Each trapdoor is Man-sized, but the vents bon olivier (order #42065) 8
and chimneys range in size from just a few inches across, to just big enough for a Hobbit to squeeze through, to large enough for even a Large creature—though the last also correspond to the largest fireplaces and forges. Smoke rises all around the ring-wall from the fires within, particularly on cold nights. t h e m a i n g at e a n d t u n n e l ‘One entrance only there was made in it, a great arch delved in the southern wall.’ — The Two Towers When the Men of Angrenost improved the natural ring around Isengard to form the ring-wall that stands today, they chose a spot in the southern wall under the highest peak of stone and carved an archway there, shaping a tunnel to the interior wide enough for ten horsemen to ride abreast. This became the sole entrance to Isengard, and the only passage to Orthanc. The main gates of the ring-wall are made of black iron. The outer pair were once adorned with the tree and stars of Gondor, but the Dunlendings removed those images and for many years the doors stood bare of decoration. After Saruman acquired Isengard they were emblazoned with the white hand and Srune that are his trademarks. Beyond decoration, however, the gates have not been altered, and still stand the same as when first they were cast, their powerful hinges embedded deep into the rock of the archway. The archway above the gate bears the only decoration upon the outer surface of the ring-wall. Here in the ancient language of Númenor is carved the message: ‘In this place, craft 3 The Fortress of Iron bows to nature.’ Meant to honour the majesty of nature that created the ring-wall, Saruman privately considers the inscription an ironic statement of his forerunners’ inadequacy. As the ring-wall is 60 feet thick, so the tunnel is 60 feet long. At the midway point, the Tunnel Guardhouse and Tunnel Stables face each other across the passage. tunnel guardhouse ‘[T]hey… came to a wide door upon the left, at the top of a stair. It opened direct into a large chamber… .’ — The Two Towers The Tunnel Guardhouse houses a guard contingent of forty Dunlending wall guards (see page 83), and is surprisingly comfortable. A huge hearth dominates the main hall of the guard- bon olivier (order #42065) 8
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Page 5 and 6: table of Contents introduCtion: the
Page 9 and 10: made from polished black granite an
Page 13 and 14: stronger defences. The stone ring t
Page 15 and 16: ‘Dost thou dare tell the Master o
Page 17 and 18: ‘Is the friendship of Isengard su
Page 19 and 20: edemption, but the Wizard angrily s
Page 21 and 22: 1 The History and Life of Isengard
Page 23 and 24: eastern parts of Middle-earth (the
Page 25 and 26: 23 bon olivier (order #42065) 8
Page 27 and 28: sometimes in their place), some por
Page 29 and 30: are arranged. Above this, the Livin
Page 31 and 32: 2 The Fortress of Iron bon olivier
Page 33 and 34: on either side of the grand stairca
Page 35 and 36: contains quarters that have served
Page 37: Treasury of Orthanc The stout door
Page 41 and 42: ing-wall Chambers ‘Many houses th
Page 43 and 44: When the Men of Gondor held Angreno
Page 45 and 46: side wide, low workbenches; potters
Page 47 and 48: Before the Fourth and Fifth Portion
Page 49 and 50: But as Saruman’s ambitions grew,
Page 51 and 52: ground. Saruman provides flour and
Page 53 and 54: the fire of orthanC ‘How? How can
Page 55 and 56: set their payloads upon it, a task
Page 57 and 58: the bl aCk door and heart Chamber T
Page 59 and 60: the Ents rallied against Isengard,
Page 63 and 64: 1 Nan Curunír bon olivier (order #
Page 65 and 66: power however, he dammed the Isen n
Page 67 and 68: Nan Curunír bon olivier (order #42
Page 69 and 70: t h e b l aC k p o o l As head of t
Page 71 and 72: m o r gay a m a r Morgayamar, an an
Page 73 and 74: 1 bon olivier (order #42065) 8
Page 75 and 76: saruman fallen To bring this descri
Page 77 and 78: When Gandalf drove Sauron from Dol
Page 79 and 80: Gálwa fears his master will one da
Page 81 and 82: o r C s i n i se n ga r d ‘He has
Page 83 and 84: swarthy, squint-eyed ‘Southrons
Page 85 and 86: Dunlending Craftsmen Skilled labour
Page 87 and 88: Orc Mixers Mixers tend carefully to
Page 89 and 90:
arrangements, Saruman may have brou
Page 91 and 92:
StatiSticS: add elite order captain
Page 93 and 94:
Dunlending write-up on pages 289- 2
Page 95 and 96:
new situational modifiers Orcs and
Page 97 and 98:
Swarm: Normal weapons do not affect
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