Barrow of the forgotten King

In the decades before the War of the Ring, Saruman  had  spent  much  energy  gathering  new  allies,  spies,  and  guardians. Though he  believed  himself  safe  within  the  impenetrable  tower  of  Orthanc,  he  knew  Nan Curunír  itself  had to  be  protected  so  that  he  might  amass  and  equip  his  fell armies without interruption. To that  end,  he  made  pacts  with  many  evil  creatures,  not  the  least  of  which  included  a  Barrow-wight  from  the    far  north. Saruman created  a  new  barrow  in  the hills along the eastern side of the  Wizard’s  Vale  and  had  the  ancient,  mummified  noble  transported  to  it  in secret. Since the  arrival  of  the  Wight,  tales had circulated among the Men  and  Orcs  of  Nan  Curunír  of  disappearances   along   the   south-eastern  plains  of  the  valley  in  the  deep  of  the  night—lone  travellers  as  well  as  entire  squads  of  the  White Hand  had  gone  suddenly  missing,  never  to be heard from or of again. Enemies and  allies  of  Saruman  alike had much to fear from the entity known only as the Ghast, a being  of  great  evil  and  power  bedecked  in  old  ceremonial  armour,  with  the  ability  to  travel  the  earth  without  even  touching  the  ground. Of those  lost in eastern Nan Curunír, no trace  had ever surfaced, their fates forever  secreted away in the night. Those unfortunate  enough  to  be  victims  of  the  Ghast  were  lured  or  dragged  to  its  barrow,  there  made  the  victims  of  dark  rites  that  sap  away  their  very  strength,  until  no  life  remained. Their flesh  eventually  decomposed,  leaving  only  their  possessions  to  recall  their  presence  in  the  deep  barrow. The Ghast  took  no  interest  in  these  items,  save  as  a  measure  of  his  kills and his  mound  of  treasure ever grew.