Isengard was left without a master for many years, until the Wizard Saruman convinced the Steward of Gondor to grant him residence within its walls. The king of Rohan welcomed this decision, for his realm had just barely endured a desperate war with Dunland and he saw in Saruman a powerful ally. Though initially Saruman comported himself merely as a lieutenant in the service of Gondor, he soon became a power in his own right and, before long, threw off any pretence at subservience.

Over the following centuries, the White Wizard's thoughts turned more and more to possession of the One Ring. He began to add to Isengard's defences, recruiting to him an army of all manner of unruly creatures; wild men, Orcs, Uruk-hai, Warg Riders and Goblins. It was in this way that the fortress of Isengard became a threat ever-present upon Rohan's northern border, the caverns below Orthanc given over to the smithying of weapons and armour, the trees upon the mountainside felled and burnt to feed the furnaces of Saruman's army.

Related Links:
Isengard Miniatures | Isengard Tactics | Painting Isengard Uruk-hai