Barad-dûr (Sindarin "Dark Tower", sometimes given as The Barad-dûr (Lugbúrz in Black Speech)) is the fortress of Sauron in the heart of the black land of Mordor and close to Mount Doom in the fantasy world of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, the player plays as a ranger with Wraith-like abilities by the name of Talion.
The Rangers were first formed at the end of the twenty-ninth century of the Third Age by a decree of the Ruling Steward of Gondor, for Ithilien was frequently subjected to enemies from Mordor and Minas Morgul.
During the first assault on Mordor, he disregarded Gil-galad's tactical plan and led a reckless charge in which he was slain along with two-thirds of his troops.
To this end, the war effort of Mordor was focused in the south in and around Gondor, in a strategy of divide and conquer.
From these early trade outposts and forts Westron spread throughout Eriador and neighbouring lands (where the action of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place), with the notable exception of Mordor.