- "What choice was there now? If he remained, the strawheads would not hear his words. They would blame him for the atrocity that occurred there, and would take up arms against his men. He could march to Isengard and lay siege to it, but he would have no hopes of winning: the Ring of Isengard was wide, Saruman likely outnumbered him, and even if he had the advantage, he had no means to sustain his army. He could march his men back home, where they would be left to await either the wrath of Saruman or that of Théoden, who would surely come for him, having seen wildmen in his enemy’s ranks."
- —The Age of the Ring Lore Compendium
Wulfgar was the king of Freca's folk who resided in Wulfborg, capital of Frecalund. He was a noble leader and content with the current situation of his people and rather sought to keep the uneasy peace between his people and King Théoden's.
A few years before the start of the War of the Ring, Wulfgar began receiving visits from Saruman's emissaries. At first, these visitors brought with them gifts in tribute, but soon Saruman began to demand tribute in return, as well as Wulfgar's allegiance in the upcoming war. Wulfgar refused to support Saruman, detecting the Wizard's duplicity and fall. Alarmed by the threat of Isengard, Wulfgar rushed with his army towards Edoras to unite with Théoden against Saruman. However, the king was forced to reconsider his stance after discovering the devastation of Théodred's army in the aftermath of the First Battle of the Fords of Isen - carried with a considerable backing from the wildmen of Dunland. Knowing that it was either Saruman's terrible wrath or that of Théoden that awaited him in the end, Wulfgar instead consented to a pact with Isengard, wishing to ensure the safety of his own kinsmen.
In Age of the Ring, Wulfgar is recruited from the fortress and will unlock the Dunlending Longhouse once on the field.
Age of the Ring Lore[]
Barbaric Sword by Valkyrie
Neither kind nor honourless,
Yet withstanding much duress,
Hill-men chanced to rove amok
Near the solitude of rock
Crows accompany the brute,
Bearing news on what’s afoot:
“Tell me, fowl, who journey wide!
Shall to hummocks ill betide?”
Timber-homes and lowly shack
Were to battle grieve, alack!
Drawn was blade in raging fight
‘Twixt the Ruffian and the Knight.
Unto Riders land became;
Chevalier on regal hame.
Sundry enemies ye felled,
Kings of golden Meduseld!
Was a folk, a pagan Lord,
Wont to wield barbaric sword,
But his people yearned for ruth:
“Crave we amity, forsooth!”
Uttered Wulfgar stern command:
“Let our enmity disband!
Just it were to rancour end;
Welcome, Horseman, this amend.”
Broad, alas, fomenting strike,
Moved a Sapient, beggar-like:
Words of counterfeit he lent;
Mage astute will not repent.
Tumult blew as fleet as storm,
Brought on tongues, a creeping worm,
Though would Chieftain wisely heed
Peaceful offer from the Steed.
Ogres tinged the water red;
Nothing blooms on soldier’s bed.
Vengeful horns they heard arise:
“Straw-heads seek our own demise!”
Crowns had Orthanc wrought afore,
Seaborne Emperors of yore,
Ruling waves in ancient while
By the potent Sunken Isle.
Dunland. Formally known as the hilly land just west of the Misty Mountains, north of the Angren river, the land stretched further south at the end of the Third Age, when the descendants of Freca, an exiled Rohirrim King, still contested the fertile land near the borders of Rohan.
Ever since Freca’s time, there have existed two distincts cultures within Dunland: the descendants of the House of Haladin, second house of the Edain, having dwelt there for years beyond counting, and the descendants of Freca and his people, a much younger culture, through whose veins runs the mixed blood of the Dunlendings and the Rohirrim. The latter dwelt mostly in the lands between the two rivers and the White Mountains, a land named Frecalund in their own language, known as the Triangle in Westron. It’s capital was Wulfborg, named after Wulfgar, a prominent Dunlending King during the War of the Ring.
Wulfborg, T.A. 3018.
The last shafts of sunlight fell through the vents at the top of the long hall. Dust danced like a horde of extinguished fireflies. Long banners hung unfurled from the rafters, depicting scenes of victory and defeat, glory and lamentation – the history of Dunland, of Rohan, and of the House of Freca.
At the end of the hall, upon a raised, wood-carved throne inlaid with green gems, sat Wulfgar, King of Freca’s folk and the Dunlendings. Beside him, on a lowered seat, sat his son: Brant, a boy of sixteen.
A sudden creaking and cracking was heard, then the doors of the hall swung open. A guard, bearing the Black Crow on a long, oval shield, hurried through, speaking as he walked.
‘There is an emissary of Orthanc here to see you, my King.’
Wulfgar’s expression grew dark.
‘Send him in.’
The failing light of dusk bathed the hall in silver-grey. A hooded figure, surrounded by several of Wulfgar’s household guard, was escorted in. He was of small stature, with a bent back. He walked slow and steady, but bore no staff.
When he reached the throne, he cast back his hood, revealing a mangled, pointed face. Silence fell over the hall. Several maidens made themselves scarce.
‘Hail Wulfgar Brynjarsson, of the house of Freca,’ the emissary spoke. His voice was cracked and whispery. Then he noticed the boy. ‘And hail to you, Brant Wulfgarsson.’
‘Greetings, half-orc,’ Wulfgar replied. ‘What business have you in Wulfborg? Speak quickly now, for any of my men’s spears could slip from their hands and into your belly. I would not fault them.’
The emissary ignored the threat. ‘I come on behalf of Saruman of Many Colours, Lord of Orthanc, First of the Five Wizards. In his wisdom, he has decided to intervene in the unjust treatment of the Men of Dunland by the strawheads to the east. Many Dunlendings have already joined his cause. Will you give him your allegiance?’
Wulfgar remained silent for a while. Brant looked at the emissary, then at his father, who rolled his eyes, made a vague gesture, and slouched down on his throne.
Brant spoke, to the visible befuddlement of the emissary. ‘We have heard tell of Saruman’s generosity. But we have no wish to go to war. We have achieved a tenuous peace here, south of the Adorn, and reap a plentiful harvest. The Horse-king has not troubled us for several years. Wulfborg prospers.'
Wulfgar clapped in approval. ‘I have taught you well, my son.' Then the king grabbed hold of a jeweled scabbard leaning besides his royal seat, and unsheathed a long, shining sword. 'Now make yourself scarce, mongrel, before I test my newest blade.’
The emissary did not look impressed. ‘Théoden King has grown lethargic, it is true. And so you have been allowed to thrive. But for how much longer?’
Wulfborg, T.A. 3019.
The heart of winter. The cold stalked the streets of Wulfborg. The King was in bed, covered in layers of furs. His wife lay beside him, breathing softly in a pattern so familiar to him. But Wulfgar could not sleep. His gaze was trained upon a particular rafter, floating in a sliver of moonlight, high above. Its rough wood reminded him of something of his childhood. He grasped at the wisp of memory, but it would not settle. He thought about his father, long-dead, and tried to recall the sound of his voice, but found only his own.
Suddenly, horns were sounded. The King leapt from his bed, strapped his sword to his belt, and hurried outside, where he was met by his guards. Horns answered horns – a great racket echoed over the snow-covered fields beyond the walls. Followed by his guard, Wulfgar climbed them in great haste, and was dismayed at what he witnessed. There was a sea of torches, held in hand by great orcs and men dressed in the garb of the wildmen that lived north of the river.
A familiar voice called forth, traveling through and above the crowd with little effort, until it reached the King's ears.
‘Hail Wulfgar Brynyarsson, of the house of Freca,’ it spoke. ‘The war will soon commence. Does your decision yet stand?’
Wulfgar did not answer. Instead, he turned to his guard, who had hurried up the walls behind in great haste. Einar then spoke: ‘They appeared suddenly my lord, setting their torches alight in concert. We received no word of warning.’
On the black horizon, a faint glow could be seen. ‘No wonder,' said Wulfgar. 'Ravndal burns.' He laid his hand on the pommel of his sword and closed his eyes.
'You do not have long,' said the emissary. 'Saruman desires an answer presently.'
Wulfgar shook his head. ‘I accept,’ he yelled. ‘Saruman will have my sword! Now leave this place!’
The voice of the emissary responded. ‘Saruman is kind. He understands the risks of marching in winter. But he requests that you bring your men to Isengard once the snows melt. Think of Ravndal.'
Wulfborg, T.A. 3019, February 23th.
Women cried as the host departed through the gates of Wulfborg. Wulfgar rode at the head, with Brant at his side. Behind them rode the men of the King’s household guard: fifty of his finest warriors, clad in black ringmail over layers of fur and leather. Behind them came a long line of riders, two abreast, bearing spears and long rider shields, slowly streaming out from Wulfborg's principal gate - less than one-thousand warriors. Lastly there came a company of archers: three-hundred, carrying great bows and long quivers full of black-feathered shafts. No more men could be found. Wulfgar’s people were not numerous.
As they trudged through fields made muddy by the recently vanished snow, Brant spoke to his father.
‘When do we tell them?’ he asked.
‘When we must,’ answered Wulfgar. ‘And no sooner. The White Wizard is skilled in the art of subterfuge. No doubt there are spies in our ranks.’
‘What if they will not listen?’ continued Brant. ‘What if the Prince rejects us?’
Wulfgar looked at his son, then flashed a sad smile. 'We shall see. These are dark times. Saruman seeks to blind us with the plight of our people. To use our weakness to further his own goals.'
'What are his goals?' asked Brant.
'Who can say,' answered Wulfgar. 'Dark, to be sure. Those that have fallen under his sway will never find the world they hope for. Orcs do not congregate around the righteous.’
Fords of Isen, T.A. 3019, February 26th.
The difficult terrain lenghtened what would have been a two day’s march to three. It was the 26th of February when they reached the Gap of Rohan. When they approached the crossings at the Fords of Isen, they came upon a terrible sight. Corpses were strewn about the landings. Streaks of red and black blood colored the fine stones. As they continued, the tragedy expanded: numerous more dead could be seen, scattered beneath tattered green banners. A great battle had taken place: Orcs on the one side, the Men of Rohan on the other.
Wulfgar dismounted, told his men to hold, and walked alone into the stream and saw what there was to see. Dead men in shining mail, bloodstained. Orcs marked with the White Hand of Saruman. As Wulfgar continued towards the Ford, he saw others: corpses of wildmen bearing Saruman's symbol.
The king's mind raced. His plan had been to cross into Rohan and set up some manner of alliance with the Rohirrim. To set aside their differences and stand against a common foe. He had never trusted Saruman: often the White Wizard had sent him gifts of tribute, demanding nothing in return. He had appeared at Wulfborg once, when Brynjar was still King. Saruman’s voice had been compelling. He had spoken of the injustice inflicted upon the Dunlendings, and of how justice would inevitably be served. His words had been met with praise. But that night, Wulfgar had been unable to sleep. The image of the Wizard and the sound of his voice, sweet and soothing, would not leave his mind.
Wulfgar stood alone at the edge of the center ford, as the water, pink from blood diluted, drenched his feet and ankles and froze his bones. He closed his eyes. There it was, appearing from out of the mists: the voice of his father. But before Wulfgar could interpret the words, a foreboding sound broke his brief peace. In the distance, a horn was blowing. Its sound was unmistakable to the Dunlending King: it was a horn of Rohan, carried by its commanders.
What choice was there now? If he remained, the strawheads would not hear his words. They would blame him for the atrocity that occurred there, and would take up arms against his men. He could march to Isengard and lay siege to it, but he would have no hopes of winning: the Ring of Isengard was wide, Saruman likely outnumbered him, and even if he had the advantage, he had no means to sustain his army. He could march his men back home, where they would be left to await either the wrath of Saruman or that of Théoden, who would surely come for him, having seen wildmen in his enemy’s ranks.
He turned around and strode back. There lay but one path before him, if he desired to have a chance at sparing his lands and people.
Abilities[]
Mount Svadilfari/Dismount (W) - Left click to switch between mounted on Svadilfari and on foot.
Dunlending Subjugation - Modifier type: Leadership. Nearby Dunlendings and Wildmen units gain +33% damage. At rank 5, Nearby Dunlendings and Wildmen units gain +50% damage. Passive ability.
Level 3: Dark Wings, Dark Words (T) - Summons two Crebain birds, Huginn and Muninn. They can scout and deal strong damage vs heroes and monsters. Left click to activate.
Level 5: Crow Banner (C) - Wulfgar summons a Crow Banner for 90 seconds Enemies nearby the Crow Banner lose -33% armour and -33% damage. At level 8, also summons a temporary battalion of Dunlending Huskarls. Left click to activate.
Level 10: King of the Hills (V) - Rallies nearby Wildmen and Dunlendings, temporarily increasing their armour by 200%. Left click to activate.
Strategy[]
Wulfgar is a mid-late game hero for Isengard whose focus is on supporting the human units of the faction. He is able to support the early game Wildmen, allowing them to be more useful later on. He can also unlock the elite Dunlending units while also supporting, giving the faction another option from the Uruk-hai units. While Wulfgar himself is not as physically strong compared to other heroes of the same price, he can summon his Crebain to assist in combat against heroes. By using Crow Banner, Wulfgar can not only weaken enemy foes but also summon a battalion of powerful Huskarls far earlier than they may have otherwise been recruited, which can turn the tide of battle. Finally, he can use King of the Hills to massively improve the survivability of the faction's Dunnish units, helping them to last longer when holding an area or assaulting a base.