Aim: to discover the fate of orcs near Cirith Ungol (missing, presumed eaten)

We have heard that orcs are mysteriously disappearing in the mountains uncomfortably close to the Cirith Ungol fortress. Our commander granted me permission to assemble a team of orcs under my command to investigate. Here is my report:

We began to walk around the hills near the fortress. We decided that we would probably find nothing in the day time, so we decided to wait it out in a nearby crevice. There we found some strange markings and slept out the rest of the day. Upon the coming of night we set out through the hills. Arriving at one of the many small entrances to Shelob’s lair, we saw a pair of dubious eyes. As soon as we turned to get a better look they were gone. We advanced into the lair.

Inside, we found massive spider webs hanging all around us. Some of these still had various pieces of orc tangled with-in. A little while on, we saw one of the spiders. We crept up to it and caught it. It told us that the spiders were not killing the orcs, just eating them. We asked the spider if it knew what was killing the orcs. All that we could dicipher from the foul noises was that our quarry was small, vicious and hairy. Our first assumption was that it was an overgrown rat.

We continued to search the tunnels. Finally we came upon a trail. We followed it. Its markings led us to the entrance of the lair. On the side there was a small cave. We peered inside. Something shot out and killed one of the orcs. We tackled it to the ground and bound it. It appeared to be a wolf of some kind. We took it back to the fortress where it is being examined. We will notify you on anything else we come across.

End Report

This is Ushluk’s report. I will tell you as classified knowledge, that we think it is some new breed of intelligent werewolf. I will personally notify you of anything else that is found - Ulaire Attaea.

Report filed by Ushluk and sent to Angmar by Ulaire Attaea, L.O.R.D. of Cirith Ungol.