Our Roads Go Together

"I will stop it!'" he boomed. "And you shall come with me. You may be able to help me. You will be helping your own friends that way, too [...] Our roads go together."
   –Treebeard, The Two Towers

Safety is almost within reach. You are weary and hunted, your journey through Harad has been long and difficult, but the end is nearly in sight. You have not come this far only to fail now. The Crossings of Poros, the sixth and final Adventure Pack in the Haradrim cycle for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game, is on sale now at your local retailer or online through our website here!

Throughout this cycle, which first began in The Sands of Harad, you have survived a tragic shipwreck and journeyed through the southernmost regions of Middle-earth, confronting sandstorms, Southrons, and the forces of Mordor itself, all with the hope of one day seeing your home once more. Continuing the theme of unlikely friendships that runs throughout the Haradrim cycle, this Adventure Pack offers you sixty cards (three copies of twenty distinct cards), including a new hero and an unlikely ally, to expand your adventures in Middle-earth as you seek to return your rescued allies to the safety of Gondor. Filled with Orcs, Traps, and enemies from Harad, this pack brings the Haradrim cycle to its thrilling conclusion.

The Road to Gondor

The Crossings of Poros continues your journey through the dangerous Southern reaches of Middle-earth following your daring rescue of the prisoners trapped in the dungeons of Mordor and subsequent escape. You have risked your life to protect the remnants of a Haradrim tribe and now you find yourself on the run from the agents of Sauron as you seek the safety of Gondor. But your journey is far from over...

The Crossings of Poros begins in the midst of your Flight to Gondor (The Crossings of Poros, 157). You have escaped the dungeons of Cirith Gurat with the rescued members of your Haradrim ally’s tribe, but you still have a long way to travel. The Orcs will soon begin searching for their missing prisoners, if they have not started already, and now those who you fought to save are slowing you down. Will you take to the desert where the way is clear, but you are exposed to the searching eyes of your enemies? Or will you head to the Mountains of Shadow which offer cover, but the treacherous terrain will prove slow going for your weakened allies?

Hold Back the Storm

In our last article, we examined the dangers that await you in your final crossing from Harad to Gondor. But the question remains as to who will lead you through what may prove the most perilous part of your quest. Indeed, to make this dangerous crossing, you will need to call upon heroes and allies who possess the bravery to defy the reach of Mordor and protect the people in your care. Embracing the theme of unlikely friendships, The Crossings of Poros introduces players to a new Ent hero and a Hobbit ally. The noble Ent  Quickbeam (The Crossings of Poros, 135) has a reputation as the hastiest of all the Ents. Once, he answered another Ent’s question before he had even finished it. Now, you may add this hero to your fellowship as you struggle to return to refuge in Gondor. Quickbeam is not one to stand idle in times of conflict, even if his will to fight puts him at risk. As an action, you may deal two damage to Quickbeam to ready him.

Quickbeam’s willingness to fight may be considered brave by some, but rash by others. As he only possesses five hit points, using his ability would cut his health nearly in half. Still, some of the negative aspects of this ability can be countered by looking to past experience for the answer. Quickbeam can fortify himself by drinking an Ent Draught (The Treason of Saruman, 9) to increase his hit points by two. Quickbeam's haste may put him in harm's way, but in your most desperate hour, you will have no time to delay.

Up Sprout a Little Folk

Far from the forests of Fangorn, Quickbeam would quickly lose heart if forced to journey this desolate province alone. Luckily, the Ent may find an ally and friend in the Hobbit Halfast Gamgee (The Crossings of Poros, 136), one of the Shire’s finest hunters and cousin to the famous Sam Gamgee (The Black Riders, 2). Though this is Halfast’s first appearance in The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game, this may not be the first time that Halfast and Quickbeam have encountered one another. The young Hobbit claimed that once, as he was hunting in the Northfarthing, he witnessed a large tree-like thing walking. Few believed his story, saying that he often saw things that were not there, but Halfast’s belief in a world beyond his own may be what saves him in this journey so far beyond the safety of the Shire.

Unlike many Hobbits of the Shire, Halfast is a naturally curious wanderer. He finds interest in any corner of the world. While the Hobbit may become easily distracted, this can work in your favor when you bring Halfast into play. The cost to play this ally is reduced by one for each side quest in the victory display. Then, after Halfast Gamgee enters play, you may add one resource to a hero’s resource pool as Halfast contributes anything he has found in his wanderings for the good of the fellowship. With these two loyal companions in your band of heroes, there is no force in Mordor that can stop you from returning to the hearth that calls to your heart.

Homeward Bound

The Haradrim cycle is drawing to a close, but your final trial may prove to be your greatest. Unite your heroes and allies to protect your freed friends, lead the Haradrim to the sanctuary of Gondor, and find your way home again.

Pick up The Crossings of Poros (MEC61) at your local retailer today or on the Fantasy Flight Games website here!