On either side and in front wide fens and mires now lay, stretching away southward and eastward into the dim half-light. Mists curled and smoked from dark and noisome pools. The reek of them hung stifling in the still air.
–The Two Towers

After scouring the Emyn Muil for signs of Gollum, the heroes of Middle-earth followed his trail south. Now Gollum takes desperate risks to elude the heroes in a realm of treacherous fens and mires.

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of The Dead Marshes, the fifth Adventure Pack in the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game! The hunt for Gollum draws to a close… unless he finds his way to escape once and for all.

The Dead Marshes introduces a Quest featuring the new Escape mechanic that allows players to experience how slippery Gollum can be! Additionally, players will find more Treachery, Attachment, and Ally cards, as well as a new Hero whose text evokes one of the most dramatic scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring.

Keeping Hold of Gollum

Gollum began to scream, a thin, tearing sound, very horrible to hear. He writhed, and tried to get his mouth to his ankle and bite the rope. He kept on screaming.
–The Two Towers

While previous expansions forced heroes to gather clues, engage in a fearsome melee, heal a wounded eagle, and scour multiple locations to relocate Gollum’s trail, The Dead Marshes finds Gollum within the heroes’ sight. However, the heroes will learn that finding Gollum and getting their hands on him are two entirely separate matters.

The Dead Marshes expansion features the new Escape mechanic, a unique element to this scenario. Each turn, as the heroes commit to the Quest, chasing Gollum through the mire, Gollum’s Escape checks pose them an additional challenge.

Once the heroes get their hands on Gollum, they’ll have to keep hold of him to complete their Quest–a task easier said than done. The heroes may need to corner Gollum more than once before they finally capture him for good, but they have to be wary. The Dead Marshes are home to drakes and other terrifying creatures. Meanwhile, Sauron’s influence grows as the heroes travel nearer Mordor.

With 60 new cards for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game, The Dead Marshes enhances existing decks and introduces a wholly fresh Quest experience.

Keep checking this site for previews, and prepare for the journey to get your hands on Gollum in The Dead Marshes, coming to stores in the third quarter of 2011.