As the head of the Order of the Istari, Saruman the White was tasked with orchestrating the defence of Middle-earth against the resurgence of the Dark Lord Sauron. Two centuries before the War of the Ring the pale Wizard was given the keys to Orthanc, an ancient tower of black stone ringed by a mighty wall at the foot of the Misty Mountains. Within this fortress he made his home, sitting upon a great carven throne.