User summary:
This scenario describes the entry level and two of the dungeon levels of Saruman's tower of Orthanc, based on an alternate history of Tolkien's Middle-earth. In the scenario, Orthanc has been abandoned and largely is in ruins.
The scenario is an unpublished manuscript - Tracy and Laura Hickman papers for Orthanc role-playing game; MSS 8180; Tracy and Laura Hickman papers; L. Tom Perry Special Collections; Literary Manuscripts; 1130 Harold B. Lee Library; Brigham Young University; Provo, Utah 84602.
The scenario has a manila card cover with (apparently) professionally printed graphics. The text is typewritten, single-sided pages, with numbering. Several maps are included, many of them laminated. Not all maps are labeled, however. The scenario is three-hole punched. The scenario includes about twenty pages of maps and notes from an unrelated science-fiction scenario (almost certainly a filing error).
The scenario is divided into three "chapters". Each chapter begins with a 2-3 page fictional introduction and then proceeds to a keyed room-by-room description of a single level of the tower.
Chapter 1 describes "The Hall of the March of Kings", which is the main entrance level of the tower. Based on illustrations included in the manuscript, this entrance level is well above ground level, accessed through a long and steep set of stairs. The original function of the level was the "reception of guests". The level consists of seventeen keyed areas, and opponents include bandits, a gelatinous cube, and an evil cleric. It is unclear whether levels above the entrance level were contemplated.
Chapter 2 describes "Oracles & The Tower Guard", which is the level beneath the entrance level. The original function of the level was the "housing and care of tower guards" and also for "mining rich ore" and "slave quarters". The ore referred to appears to have been external to the tower. The level consists of thirty keyed areas, and opponents include a gelatinous cube, zombies, orcs, a sixth-level magic user, and a trapper.
Chapter 3 describes "Lockholes", which is the next level down. The original function of the level was "prisoner security" and the provision of "support areas" for the guard. The level appears as a maze of corridors with numerous small rooms ("lockholes") used as prison cells. The level consists of thirty-five keyed areas (many containing multiple cells), and opponents include giant centipedes, orcs, and two seventh-level evil clerics. This level is unique in providing a partially complete table of random encounters ("wandering monsters").
Numerous maps are included in the scenario:
Unlabeled partial lower level
Laminated unlabeled level (probably level 1)
Two illustrations that appear to be simple maps
Laminated "Level G", subtitled "Seeds of Saruman Quest"
Three minor variants of a map labeled "Level III Orthank" (note "k"); two are laminated, one appears to be a play-generated map
Two unlabeled maps - based on the keyed areas and the rooms these almost certainly are the third level "lockholes"; one appears to be a design balance tally - they are significantly different from the three "Level III Orthank" maps noted above
Two minor variants of a map labeled "Level 5 Treasure Hold"; one is laminated; one appears to be a design balance tally; they both note the level as 165 rooms
Unlabeled map
Unlabeled map and on reverse several unlabeled map fragments
These two maps appear related to each other but likely are not part of the scenario (though included with it) - they are on different graph paper and have a different visual appearance:
Unlabeled map with fragment of second map
Unlabeled map
Four pages of illustrations of the tower are provided; it has a unique outline - and appears to be in good repair (as illustrated). One illustration appears to show the tower floating in air (may simply be an incomplete rendering).
General comments. The manuscript is available for public access in a controlled reading room environment (photography, copies, etc., are not permitted). The loose pages in the manuscript are stored in a folder and the pages are mingled with approximately 20 pages from an obviously unrelated science-fiction locale. The page count indicated here is a "best estimate" because it's unclear whether all maps belong to the scenario and because many maps have duplicate copies. The design suggests at least a few more deep levels were contemplated. The scenario is more developed than most "homebrew" dungeons, but not as developed as a commercial module. The fusion of proprietary game system with unrelated proprietary setting indicates the scenario probably was not contemplated for commercial release. The scenario appears to date from about 1980.