Nightmare The Fate of Númenor

You arrive on the island's western beach, the edge of a dense jungle looming beyond. With no map to guide you and no idea of what to expect, you venture forward, deeper into the island... Whereas the previous quest saw our heroes sailing the high seas in search of what remains of the ancient island …

Nightmare Voyage Across Belegaer

The Dream-chaser and her fleet depart from the Grey Havens, in search of the island from Calphon's dreams. Only a week out from the coast, the black sails of Corsair ships can be seen in pursuit! There are a lot of reasons I love the Grey Havens / Dream-chaser cycle—it’s fresh both mechanically and thematically, …

ALeP Spoiler Alert: The Glittering Caves

Y'all. Y'all! I've been involved in the fan-expansion project A Long-extended Party for a little over a year now, and let me tell you: I have been so excited for our next pack, The Glittering Caves, for such a very long time. As highlighted in the pack's announcement article, this expansion will contain additional support …

Four Principles of Nightmare Design

It’s no secret that I love Nightmare mode. Whenever it comes up in the Cardboard of the Rings Discord server, I’m always there to sing Nightmare’s praises. I often insist that the Nightmare versions of quests are the best versions of the quests, and when given the choice between playing Nightmare and Standard mode I’ll …

Nightmares at Sea

With our adventures in Angmar behind me, I find myself heading into what is almost certainly the last official cycle of the game to sport Nightmare content. While nobody can say for certain what the future holds, reports that the Nightmare content didn’t sell well and communication from the game’s developers that Lord of the …

Attack on Dol Guldur

The Dark Lord of Mordor has declared war across Middle-earth. His Nazgûl lead the Morgul host against Minas Tirith in the south, while Easterlings lay siege to Erebor in the north. And in a move long-prepared, the armies of Dol Guldur cross the Anduin to assault Lórien... I have been playing a lot of Ares …

Nightmare Wrap Up: The Lost Realm + Angmar Awakened

Our Heroes have marched all across the lost realm hunting the shadowy sorcerer Daechanar and his undead lieutenant Thaurdir, culminating in a massive clash of armies on the battlefield outside of the ancient fortress of Carn Dûm. We made some new friends along the way, and said our final goodbye to some others, but ultimately …

Nightmare The Dread Realm

As you descend into the catacombs beneath Carn Dûm, you find yourself overcome with terror. Still, you press onward, knowing that Iârion's fate—and perhaps the fate of the north–lies in your hands. Daechanar's powers of sorcery and necromancy are strongest here, in the capital of the Witch-realm where the lord of the Nazgûl once resided. …

Nightmare The Battle of Carn Dûm

Your company has made its way swiftly north, and finally the fortress of Carn Dûm looms before you. Unsure if you have arrived in time, you can only hope beyond hope that Iârion is still alive. Thaurdir has mustered the defense of Carn Dûm. There is no turning back now. "For Iârion!" the Rangers begin …

Nightmare The Treachery of Rhudaur

You have decided to explore the ruins of this ancient keep, but Thaurdir pursues you, and time is of the essence. Having crossed the deadly Ettenmoors, our Heroes have arrived in the lands once known as Rhudaur—one of the three kingdoms formed when the Númenorian kingdom of Arnor split apart over 2000 years before the …