Thane Ulchor

thumb|355x355px|Lord Alcaron as an Objective-Ally in Encounter at Amon Dîn
thumb|357x357px|Traitorous Lord Alcaron in The Morgul Vale Adventure Pack
thumb|357x357px|A Resurrected Lord Alcaron, now known as Thane Ulchor, in The Shadow in the East Expansion
thumb|362x362px|Thane Ulchor in The Fortress of Núrn Adventure Pack
Thane Ulchor, formerly known as Lord Alcaron, is a Black Númenórean enemy disguised as a Gondorian noble. He is non-canon because he was created by Fantasy Flight Games for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game. He is encountered in both the Heirs of Númenor & A Shadow in the East expansions and associated adventure packs.
==Biography==
===Lord Alcaron===
Lord Alcaron was a Gondorian noble from Minas Tirith who first meets the player's heroes in Pelargir. He gives the heroes a scroll with an urgent message for Faramir. However, as soon as they are given the message the tavern is attacked by ruffians. The heroes stave off the thugs and reach Ithilien, only to find out by Celador that Faramir has left to reinforce the City of Cair Andros which was currently under-siege. The heroes then arrive to the city and help out in the defense. They drive out the orc besiegers and deliver the message to Fararmir. 
After the siege the heroes travel to Minas Tirith to report the news of the victory and the message from Lord Alcaron to Steward Denethor. While in Denethor's court, the heroes learn that Lord Alcaron is traveling on important business north in Anórien. Meanwhile, Denethor asks the heroes to help him uncover a conspiracy plot that could overthrown the Stewardship and hand over the Kingdom of Gondor to Mordor. The heroes search the streets, catacombs, and sewers of Minas Tirith to find the secret organization. As they come across a catacomb within the heart of Mount Mindolluin, they find out about the dissident plot, and even uncover clues about the conspirators secretive leader. The heroes manage to slay many of the conspirators and even kill their champion; however, their leader was able to escape right before he could be revealed. 
After the heroes find out that the rest of the conspirators had been killed by the Wose in the Druadan Forest, they end up coming to the aid of Amon Dîn; which was being attacked by Orcs from the previous Cair Andros siege party. Upon arriving, they find Lord Alcaron in the fray of the burning village. Lord Alcaron tells the heroes that since the victory at Cair Andros, he had disbanded the local levy, since it was believed to have been safe, and carried out the Stewards business as usual. However, it seemed a group of orcs routed in the wrong direction and decided to pillage the local settlements, and Lord Alcaron requests the help of the heroes. After the battle Lord Alcaron is pleased with the heroes and tells them tales of old and recent news from Osgiliath. Lord Alcaron tasks the heroes to aid Lord Boromir at Osgiliath, as he is preparing for a counter-attack to retake the Eastern half of the ancient city.
As the heroes arrive with Lord Alcaron, they are immediately pulled into the battle against the Morgul-host. After the battle Lord Alcaron is found next to Faramir at the campfires. Alcaron is exhilarated about the victory and even convinces Boromir to send Faramir with a party out to route the fleeing enemy, and push even further into Ithilien. Faramir reluctantly agrees; only out of respect for his brother. As the party comes to the Cross-roads of the Fallen King they are soon ambushed by dozens of Orcs and Uruks of Mordor lead by a dark robed figure. In the fight the heroes slay the dark figure, but Faramir and Alcaron are captured, and the Orcs begin to pull back to Minas Morgul with their prize. The heroes chase after the enemy to the very outskirts of the Morgul Vale to rescue Faramir and Alcaron; for especially if Faramir were to be lost, the morale of Gondor would be shaken. As they come upon the enemy they find their leader is another dark robed figure; who reveals himself to be Lord Alcaron. Lord Alcaron, who then reveals his real name, Ulchor, sends the Black Uruk Murzag to deal with the heroes as he delivers his prize to Sauron. However, the heroes manage to slay the Uruks and move forward to save Faramir. Alcaron, now angered by the heroes persistence, utters a ancient word that is responded with a ghastly shriek. The Uruks carrying Faramir pause briefly but then continue forward as Lord Alcaron blocks the path of the heroes; who are forced to slay the once cheerful and spirited noble of Gondor. As the heroes desperately rush forward to stop the enemy's plan, they meet a dreaded Nazgûl in which they barely manage to fend off, and save Faramir from a most certain death.
===Thane Ulchor===
As time passed, and the heroes have further adventures, they come to the lands of Dorwinion to find that all is not well. Within the Capital city, there are reports of a secret cult, and abductions of people within the city. After doing some investigation, the heroes find a den of cultists, which they defeat. However, while killing them, they hear rumors of a temple dedicated to Sauron within the Hills of Rhûn. The heroes secretly infiltrate the temple, freeing captives before the captives are sacrificed by the cultists, while killing savage Easterling warriors. As the heroes enter the main chamber, they manage to put a stop to a sacrifice being carried out. The cultist carrying out the sacrifice curses the heroes and reveals himself to be the former Lord Alcaron, but now resurrected by the Nazgûl using Morgul sorcery. Alcaron mocks the heroes and tells them by his true name, Thane Ulchor of Núrn and Servant of Sauron, and that he will have his revenge against the heroes. Immediately, Ulchor casts a spell to blow out all the torches and make his escape from the heroes. The heroes return back to the capital of Dorwinion with the rescued captives, but it isn't long before the heroes decide to go after Ulchor and stop him from terrorizing the free-peoples.
As the heroes begin to recuperate, they soon awaken as an army of Easterlings lead by Ulchor begin set fire to the city. Most of the city is overrun due to spies of Ulchor who still dwelt within the walls. They heroes manage to rally the Dorwinions and beat back the invading force, but at a great lose of life. Many of the former captives where found among the dead as well as the mayor and his wife. The heroes swear an oath to stop at nothing until justice be brought to Ulchor. 
The heroes chase the villain to the city of Ulfast on the southern shore of the Sea of Rhûn. However, they are at ill odds as the city is of Easterling origin. The heroes manage to sneak into the city to learn the whereabouts of Thane Ulchor. Unfortunately, Ulchor was a step ahead of them as he alerted the King of Ulfast about the heroes and set a trap for them. In the throne room of the King, Ulchor accuses the heroes of being thieves and killers, and that they should be taken away. The heroes rebut Ulchor and tell the king that they seek justice for Ulchor's murder in Dorwinion and to free Ulfast from the yoke of Mordor. Ulchor again pushes the king to kill them, but the king refused, stating he will hear the heroes out first and then intact his own judgement. However, this causes Ulchor to become enraged and declare "You rule only by the will of Sauron", and "As the Dark Lord gives, he can also take away!" Then calling upon his own guards they attack the king and his guards. The heroes join in the fight to defend the king, but was stopped short as more guards came in, not knowing what had happen. Ulchor and the rest of his men manage to escape, and the heroes were spared by the king since he noticed their effort to help. The king tells the heroes that his people cannot risk open conflict with Mordor, but tasks the heroes to continue their quest to bring Ulchor to justice, and the provides them with horses and supplies. 
As the heroes journey southward they are captured again by a group of Wainriders. It is found out that Ulchor had earlier also been captured by Wainriders, but was let go after he threatened them and gave them an empty promise to loot anyone who would be coming after him. These Wainriders where not in league with Sauron, but also not friendly to the west either. Nevertheless, they would let the heroes go if they could beat their best Charioteers in a race. After a dangerous and cut-throat race, in which the heroes narrowly win, the heroes are given a feast and info on Thane Ulchor. Ulchor had flee to Mordor and the heroes would have not be able to reach him without be capture again; however, the Wainriders do provide a secret pathway under the Ash Mountains; at the price of some gold. 
The heroes make their perilous journey through the Ered Lithui [Ash Mountains], to reach the lands of Núrn. After nearly dying from dwindling rations the heroes arrive in Núrn to find a place of toil and sorrow. Thane Ulchor ruled over the lands of Núrn with an iron-first and had enlisted the help of loyal Easterlings to serve as cruel taskmasters to hundreds of slaves forced to work the breadbasket of Sauron's Armies. The heroes attack the Easterling slave drivers and start a massive slave rebellion against Thane Ulchor and his minions. 
After the skirmish, a slave named Arador come up with a plan to assault Ulchor's fortress of Dol Rhugar. Arador points out a secret passage that could be used to get inside the fortress without being seen. Once inside Arador, Edrahil the Elf and Farin the Dwarf would free and rally the slaves inside, and open the gate for the heroes and other slaves to attack the slavers. After a intense battle the heroes push their way into the throne room of Ulchor for a final confrontation. Ulchor put up a strong fight with the heroes using both might and magic, but was ultimately was struck down. Badly wounded, Ulchor curses the heroes again and tells them that the no matter where they run or hid that the dark lord will find them. However, the heroes sheath their weapons and exclaim that the dark lord will first come to Ulchor before he finds the heroes and that he does not tolerate failure. The heroes along with the rescue slaves manage to leave Núrn (disguised as Easterling Slavers) back for Ulfast, while leaving Ulchor to suffer at the hands of his master. 
Back in Ulfast, the heroes are celebrated for their heroic deeds and many are thankful for the return of their loved ones. However, back in Mordor, in the dungeons of Barad-dûr, awoke a aching Ulchor chained to a wall. Within a few moments a tall dark figure in armor comes into the cell to greet the pathetic lord. The figure introduces himself as the Mouth of Sauron and that he had found Ulchor nearly dead by the time he came to Dol Rhugar. He chastises Ulchor for his loss of his slaves and that he will have to answer this second failure to Sauron himself; leaving Ulchor to wept bitterly. 
Lord Alcaron\Thane Ulchor's armor is that of fancy clothes and leather, with fancy shoulder and arm bracers. His weapon as Lord Alcaron is a long knife, but as Thane Ulchor he is given a black sword with a lightning power. 
==Strategy==
Lord Alcaron / Thane Ulchor's biggest threat to the players is his attack strength and special ability to reveal encounter cards or swing the balance of the game in favor of the enemy.
Category:Non-canonical villains
Category:Non-canonical Servants of Sauron