Title: The Doom of Durthang
Introduction: Deep within the shadowed lands of Mordor, where the Black Gate once
stood, the ruined fortress of Durthang looms over the Ash Plains. Once a stronghold of
Sauron’s forces, it has been abandoned since the Dark Lord’s fall. However, whispers
among the orc clans speak of a new power rising—a warlord known as Zargûl the
Reclaimer, who seeks to restore the fortress and rally the scattered remnants of the
Enemy. Gondor’s scouts have confirmed troubling reports of dark sorcery emanating
from Durthang’s ruins, prompting King Elessar to send a band of trusted adventurers to
investigate.
Adventure Hook: The adventurers are tasked with infiltrating Durthang and uncovering
the truth behind Zargûl’s resurgence. They must determine if he is merely a ruthless orc
chieftain or if something more sinister is at play. Rumors speak of a forgotten Morgul
relic hidden deep within the fortress—an artifact of terrible power that, in the wrong
hands, could reignite the flames of war in Middle-earth.
Act 1: The Road to Mordor The journey to Durthang is perilous, for the lands of Mordor
are still hostile and scarred by war. Along the way, the party encounters:
• A band of Haradrim mercenaries, sent to parley with Zargûl. If intercepted, they
carry coded missives hinting at a greater conspiracy.
• A cursed battlefield of the Dead, where fallen warriors of Sauron’s armies rise at
night, bound by ancient oaths of service.
• A lone Uruk scout, desperate to defect and bearing knowledge of the relic’s
location—if the adventurers can earn his trust.
Act 2: The Fortress of Durthang The ruined stronghold is partially rebuilt, its halls
echoing with the guttural speech of orcs and the eerie presence of dark magic. The
adventurers must navigate the fortress’s dangers, including:
• Patrolling orc warbands, each loyal to different factions within Zargûl’s growing
army.
• The Chamber of the Wraithstone, where the artifact’s power pulses with
malevolent energy, tempting those who draw near.
• The Torturer’s Vault, where prisoners—both orcish and human—whisper of
Zargûl’s dark master, a shadowed figure that speaks from the Void.
• A confrontation in the Throne Hall, where Zargûl declares himself the new Lord
of Mordor, wielding sorcery unseen since the fall of the Nazgûl.
Act 3: The Last Stand The adventurers must stop Zargûl before he can complete his
ritual to awaken the relic’s full power. They face:
• A brutal duel with Zargûl, empowered by the artifact’s dark energy.
• The choice: Destroy the relic and risk unleashing its energies or claim it for study
in Minas Tirith.
• A desperate escape as Durthang crumbles, with the warlord’s followers swearing
vengeance upon the Free Peoples.
Conclusion: With Zargûl defeated, the fate of the relic remains uncertain. The
adventurers return to Gondor, where King Elessar and his council weigh the risks of their
actions. Yet, in the shadows of Middle-earth, unseen forces stir, and the remnants of
Sauron’s darkness refuse to be forgotten…
Rewards & Future Hooks:
• The favor of Gondor and its allies.
• A Morgul-blade cleansed of its taint, still potent against the creatures of
darkness.
• A cryptic warning from the Void, hinting that not all of Sauron’s servants have
perished.
