Chapter Summaries

Russell used Liam Hartwell’s Death Aura to devastate the Orc army at Hornburg, turning its advance into a rout. As Théoden prepared to send out cavalry, Legolas warned him that Russell’s aura made approaching him deadly, while Dragon Beasts and Ringwraiths entered the battle and countered the Thunder Beasts’ lightning.

• Russell activated Liam Hartwell’s Character Card and charged into the Orc army, killing every living creature that came within his Death Aura.
• Russell rode through the valley as the Orcs panicked, and their retreat collapsed into confusion and trampling.
• Théoden ordered the cavalry to ride out, but Legolas stopped him and explained that Russell was dangerous to anyone who came near him.
• Three Dragon Beasts controlled by Ringwraiths attacked the routed Orcs, then turned toward Russell as he sent three Silver-white Giant Wolves to meet them.
• The Ringwraiths thrust their lances at the Thunder Beasts and absorbed the lightning they conducted.

Russell ignored the Ringwraiths’ attempts to draw him away from the Orcs and kept slaughtering until his Character Card expired, then fought them in the sky as the Isengard allied army retreated. He watched the Ringwraiths prepare to withdraw and resolved to make them leave something behind.

• The Ringwraiths tried to force Russell to defend Hornburg, but their lightning attacks were redirected to him by his Lightning Rod skill, and he continued killing Orcs.
• The Ringwraiths sent their Winged Dragons to attack Russell, who used water to block them while the dragons’ attacks killed nearby Orcs.
• A Ringwraith revived a dragon with dark Magic Power, but Russell’s Silver-white Giant Wolf struck it before a water hand knocked it and its rider down.
• The Character Card expired as the remaining dragons attacked; Russell blocked the Ringwraiths’ lances and cut off both tips with his blades.
• Russell charged into the sky as lightning struck him repeatedly, while the Orcs retreated and the Ringwraiths prepared to withdraw.
• Russell decided that the Ringwraiths would not be allowed to leave without a price.

Russell trapped the three Ringwraiths in a sphere of water, destroyed them with lightning and Silver-white Giant Wolves, and sent a tsunami into Isengard's Orc army. He left a dying fell beast beside Hornburg's walls for the defenders to eat, and Legolas explained Russell's gesture to Théoden.

• Russell severed a fell beast's wing and continued fighting the three Ringwraiths while secretly gathering the valley's rainwater.
• Russell formed the gathered water into a sphere around the Ringwraiths and charged it with lightning, summoning Silver-white Giant Wolves that killed them.
• Russell sent a tsunami crashing into the Orc army from Isengard, then carried the wounded fell beast to Hornburg's walls.
• Théoden asked Legolas what Russell meant by leaving the fell beast, and Legolas answered that it was for them to eat.

After Russell’s stand at Helm’s Deep kept Isengard’s forces from advancing, Théoden and the defenders celebrated by cooking the Winged Dragon Russell had killed. The feast lifted Rohan’s morale and unnerved the enemy, leaving the defenders confident as they returned to the walls.

• Rohan soldiers collected the Orcs’ abandoned weapons and armor while Russell sat alone before the Isengard allied forces, who dared not cross the valley.
• Aragorn told Russell that the cooking pots and herbs were ready, and Russell left the Deeping Wall to prepare the Winged Dragon.
• Théoden personally sliced the dragon meat as the Fellowship and Rohan soldiers prepared ten pots, and Russell cooked the meal for the defenders.
• Théoden toasted Russell, and the defenders’ feast and display of the Winged Dragon’s remains drove the Isengard allied forces to retreat ten miles.
• After eating, the Rohan soldiers returned to the walls with their morale strengthened, and Russell resumed his post on the Deeping Wall.

The Uruk-hai launched a second assault on Hornburg after Dunlending losses, while Russell rode out to confront three Ringwraiths. Aragorn, Eomer, Gimli, and Boromir counterattacked near the gates as the fortress came under renewed pressure.

• The Dunlendings attacked Hornburg, but Rohan’s defenders killed many with arrows while Russell shot down ladders and attackers at the gate.
• The Uruk-hai arrived, drove the retreating Dunlendings forward, and advanced through a fire-oil blaze lit by Russell, Aragorn, and Legolas’s arrows.
• Three Ringwraiths emerged through the flames, and Russell rode out to fight them, shooting two back and cutting the third in half with the Peerless Blade.
• The Uruk-hai began a second assault as Aragorn and Eomer led soldiers through a side gate to attack them near the main entrance.
• Aragorn, Gimli, and Boromir fought through the Uruk-hai, with Aragorn’s Holy Sword delivering especially powerful blows.

Russell’s explosion shattered the Orc assault on the Hornburg, and the defenders drove the Isengard alliance into a rout. Gandalf arrived with three hundred Ents at dawn, only to find Rohan pursuing the fleeing Orcs.

• Aragorn returned to the fortress and began repairing the shattered gate as the Orcs renewed their assault on the Deeping Wall.
• Legolas kept fighting with his magically replenished arrows while Orcs climbed the walls using ladders and grappling hooks.
• Russell cut down the Ringwraiths, then unleashed a blast that destroyed part of the valley and devastated the Orc forces.
• The defenders celebrated as the Orcs fled, and Théoden sent cavalry to pursue them and called for reinforcements from the grasslands.
• Gandalf reached the battlefield with Treebeard and three hundred Ents, but found Rohan’s soldiers already hunting down the retreating Orcs.

After Rohan routed Isengard’s army at Helm’s Deep, Gandalf, Russell, the Rohirrim, and the Ents marched on Isengard to confront Saruman. Gandalf insisted he would deliver the final blow, though Russell doubted his confidence as they arrived before Orthanc.

• Treebeard and Gandalf watched the terrified Orcs flee the battlefield, and Treebeard praised Gandalf for frightening them.
• Eomer told Gandalf that Wizard Russell had terrified the Orc army and that Rohan had won at Helm’s Deep, then rode off to earn the promised warhorse.
• Gandalf urged Treebeard to march on Isengard for revenge against Saruman, and Treebeard led the Ents forward.
• Russell asked Gandalf who would strike Saruman down, and Gandalf declared that he would while advising everyone to attack together.
• The Rohirrim, Ents, Gandalf, and Russell reached Isengard and saw Orthanc, prompting Russell to tease Gandalf about lacking a tower of his own.

Gandalf, Théoden, and their allies flooded Isengard and defeated its Orc defenders. They entered the ruined fortress to confront Saruman, who rejected Gandalf’s accusation that he had fallen.

• Treebeard described how Saruman had destroyed Isengard’s forests and persecuted the Ents, while Gandalf explained that flooding the fortress would avoid costly fighting.
• The Ents broke the floodgates, sending a torrent toward Isengard, and Théoden led the Rohan Cavalry in a charge that wiped out the Warg Riders.
• The flood drowned Isengard’s Orc defenders and underground armory, after which Gandalf and the Fellowship entered the waterlogged fortress on Ents while Théoden kept the cavalry outside.
• Gandalf called Saruman out beneath Orthanc, and Saruman appeared in ornate white robes and insisted that he had merely found his path in life.

Gandalf drew Russell into his fight with Saruman, who froze Isengard and then battled Gandalf beneath Orthanc. Russell used a magical soap that forced its targets to pick it up, but after Saruman dropped it, Russell became compelled to do the same.

• Saruman amplified his magic through Orthanc, freezing the floodwaters and forcing the Ents and Fellowship to retreat.
• Gandalf grabbed Russell and asked him to help fight Saruman, then dispelled the tower’s magical shield.
• Saruman leaped from Orthanc and attacked Gandalf and Russell, and Gandalf insisted Russell was part of the battle.
• Gandalf and Saruman fought with swords, staffs, and spells while arguing over Saruman’s betrayal and Sauron’s plans.
• Russell threw down Very Old Soap, compelling Saruman and Gandalf to reach for it, then attacked Saruman while he held it.
• Saruman dropped the soap to defend himself, and Russell became compelled to pick it up.

Russell and Gandalf fought Saruman with Sterilizing Soap, whose strange effects repeatedly disrupted the battle. Saruman died after Russell caught the soap and Gandalf struck him down, and Russell and Gandalf left Isengard in ruins while claiming Saruman had nearly defeated them.

• Gandalf rescued Russell from Saruman, and Saruman revealed that Sauron planned to launch a full-scale attack on Gondor.
• Russell repeatedly bluffed that he was throwing Sterilizing Soap, letting Gandalf wound Saruman until the real soap landed between them and both wizards grabbed it.
• Saruman seized the soap and beat Gandalf, but Russell emerged from beneath the ice and caught it, allowing Gandalf to kill Saruman with a sword strike to the neck.
• Russell stored Sterilizing Soap in his Space Ring, then joined Gandalf in bombarding Isengard for five minutes.
• Gandalf and Russell praised Saruman as a terrifying opponent who had almost beaten them.

After Saruman’s defeat, Théoden agreed to aid Gondor if Aragorn reclaimed the throne, and the Fellowship discussed finding reinforcements for the war against Mordor. Gandalf sent Aragorn toward the Paths of the Dead, while Russell learned that the dead could not fight and would be useless against Sauron, a necromancer.

• Gandalf and Russell left Isengard with Saruman’s body and told Théoden that Saruman had been executed.
• Treebeard led the Ents to settle near Isengard, while Théoden agreed to send Rohan’s cavalry once Aragorn became King of Gondor.
• Aragorn swore to reclaim Gondor’s throne, and Gandalf planned to travel with Boromir to persuade Denethor to accept him.
• Gandalf sent Aragorn south to seek allies through the Paths of the Dead, and Russell guessed that he meant to recruit the Army of the Dead.
• Aragorn explained that the dead could neither harm nor be harmed, and Gandalf noted that Sauron was a necromancer.
• Russell claimed that a fall from a horse had made him forget this, but Aragorn could not confirm his excuse.

Aragorn led Russell, Legolas, and Gimli toward the Paths of the Dead to recruit reinforcements, while Russell complained that Gandalf had deceived him about teaching magic. The group entered the haunted pass and found an inscription warning that the way was sealed.

• The Fellowship split, sending Aragorn south with Russell, Legolas, and Gimli while Gandalf and Boromir took the Hobbits to Minas Tirith.
• Russell, Legolas, and Gimli ate Nightmare stew as Aragorn tried to explain their route and his plan to enlist the dead.
• Russell told Aragorn that Gandalf had broken his promise to teach him the Illumination Spell, though Russell had learned the limited spell from a booklet.
• The four companions entered the Paths of the Dead, and their frightened horses bolted back out of the valley.
• The group reached a cave, where Legolas read an ancient warning that the road ahead was sealed and guarded by the dead.

Russell and Aragorn entered the haunted passage through the Dimholt Mountains and faced the Army of the Dead, led by Denhalor Undead. After Russell fought off the undead, their leader begged him to kill him as the group prepared to leave.

• Russell cast an Illumination Spell and led Aragorn, Gimli, and their companion into the bone-filled cave.
• The group reached a vast cavern where Denhalor Undead appeared with a host of ghostly soldiers and threatened them.
• Aragorn declared that he was the undead’s master, but Denhalor ignored him and ordered his army to attack.
• Russell fired Mana Bullets from his Desert Eagle, scattering the charging undead until his weapon overheated.
• Denhalor challenged Russell to a duel, but Russell claimed he had run out of Magic Power and turned to leave.
• Denhalor passed through Russell, fell to his knees, and begged the Great Wizard to kill him.

Russell entertained the Dunharrow Undead by shooting them, then let Aragorn take over when he grew bored. Aragorn revealed his royal lineage and promised to lift their curse if they fought for Gondor, and the undead pledged to join him.

• The Dunharrow Undead begged Russell to kill them, and he shot them one by one as they cheered.
• Russell got bored and pushed Aragorn forward, prompting the Undead Leader to ask why Aragorn had stepped forward if he was not a Wizard.
• Aragorn claimed to be Gondor's heir, but the Undead Leader doubted him until Aragorn drew the Holy Sword.
• The undead recognized Aragorn as the King of Gondor and pledged to follow him.
• Aragorn swore that the curse would be lifted once the undead fought for Gondor, and their leader promised they would honor their ancient oath.

Aragorn led the gathered Army of the Dead toward the coast while Minas Tirith remained cut off by Mordor’s forces. In the palace, Gandalf drugged Denethor so Boromir and Faramir could conceal his condition, but the brothers’ plan stumbled when they realized they had sent away all the guards.

• Aragorn assembled more than twenty thousand undead and led them across the plains toward the coastline.
• Mordor’s Orc army surrounded Minas Tirith, leaving the city isolated as Denethor drank himself unconscious in the palace.
• Gandalf gave Denethor a potion that would keep him asleep for two days and left Boromir and Faramir to conceal what had happened.
• Boromir tried to make Faramir cry so their act would seem convincing, and Faramir began weeping after Boromir slapped him.
• Boromir called for the guards to report Denethor’s apparent crisis, but Faramir reminded him that they had transferred every guard away.

Aragorn gathered the Dunedain and Gondor’s people at the southern port, then prepared an ambush for the Corsairs of Umbar. The pirates arrived and found their ships swept away, leaving them trapped at the port.

• Aragorn concealed the Army of the Dead in the river while he and Russell waited for the Corsairs of Umbar.
• Herubal arrived with thirty Dunedain Rangers and gave Aragorn Gondor’s banner, embroidered by Arwen.
• Russell failed to recognize Herubal, who recalled their embarrassing shared adventure; Legolas and Gimli pretended to forget what they had heard.
• Aragorn raised Gondor’s banner, inspiring the port’s people to join him and bringing his force to more than a hundred men.
• Fifty pirate ships reached the port, and the pirates disembarked intending to attack the town and enslave its people.
• Massive waves swept away all fifty ships, and the stranded pirates began to suspect something was wrong.

Russell helped Aragorn defeat the Corsairs of Umbar and free the Army of the Dead from its oath. As the fleet sailed toward Minas Tirith, Gondorians joined Aragorn’s growing forces.

• Russell disguised himself as a ghost, and his undead forces drove the pirates into the river, where he drowned them with a Great Maelstrom.
• Aragorn released the Army of the Dead after it fulfilled its oath, and the undead departed in peace.
• Herubal told Aragorn that freed slaves wanted to join him on the journey to Minas Tirith.
• Russell used his power to propel the fifty ships toward Minas Tirith after the small crew realized they could not operate them all.
• Aragorn recruited Gondorians at coastal towns as the White Tree Banner flew over the fleet.

Boromir took command of Minas Tirith as Sauron’s Orcs besieged the city, and Gandalf reassured him that Rohan would come to their aid. Gandalf drove back the Ringwraiths’ terror with a burst of light as Aragorn and Russell hurried toward the city by ship.

• Boromir became Regent after Denethor died and asked Gandalf whether Minas Tirith could hold until Aragorn returned with reinforcements.
• Boromir admitted that he and Faramir had lit the beacons despite Aragorn’s absence, and Gandalf assured him that Théoden would answer the signal.
• As Orcs charged Minas Tirith at night, the city’s soldiers and residents took positions on the walls to defend it.
• The Ringwraiths and the Witch-king swept over the battlefield, frightening defenders and giving the Orcs an opening to attack.
• Gandalf unleashed a burst of white light that dispelled the fear and hurt the Orcs, while Aragorn and Russell sailed toward Minas Tirith on fifty ships.

Gondor’s defenders endured the Witch-king of Angmar’s relentless siege while Russell and Aragorn arrived at the Anduin River with a small force. Russell held Aragorn back from a suicidal charge and set out to create a spectacle, leaving his plan unknown.

• The Witch-king of Angmar wore down Minas Tirith’s defenders with repeated assaults, siege weapons, and Winged Dragons while Gandalf rallied them with his Illumination Spell.
• Boromir and Faramir commanded Gondor’s defenses as the soldiers repelled Orcs and destroyed approaching siege towers.
• Russell and Aragorn arrived at the harbor with fifty pirate ships carrying a thousand reinforcements and thirty Dunedain Warriors.
• Russell persuaded Aragorn not to charge the far larger Orc and Haradrim forces before the Rohan Cavalry arrived.
• Russell stepped onto the water with a trident and told Aragorn he would create a spectacle, mentioning the half-hearted elf.

Russell unleashed a massive flood on the Orcs and Haradrim, but the Ringwraiths froze much of it before it could reach the plains. He redirected the remaining current toward the Elephant Corps as the battle continued.

• Russell raised a towering wave that crushed the Orc guards at the harbor and left their corpses arranged in the Elvish character for death.
• Herubal bragged that Russell had once saved him, while Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli reacted with disbelief.
• The Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths headed toward the Anduin as Gandalf summoned a Great Eagle and pursued them.
• Russell drove the flood toward the plains, where it swallowed the harbor and surged toward the Orcs and Haradrim.
• The Ringwraiths froze much of the flood, so Russell split off a current that swept toward the Haradrim's Elephant Corps.