The Lord of the Rings: Trials of Saruman Revealed, Launching June 2026

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Fans curious about the fate of the White Wizard will soon have a chance to explore it in June. The roleplaying game campaigns, Hands of the White Wizard and Trials of Saruman, will focus on the story of one of the most powerful wizards in Middle-earth.

In The Lord of the Rings, Saruman is one of five wizards sent to Middle-earth to fight against the evil Sauron. But Saruman turned against this mission, building his own army and trying to seize the One Ring for himself. Although his plans were ultimately ruined by the Ents, his end is consistent across both the books and the films: he is killed, and his spirit remains lost in Middle-earth.

Players Can Change Lord of the Rings’ Story in Trials of Saruman

Saruman wasn’t originally evil; in fact, he was once a good character, as depicted in some versions of The Hobbit and related films. Now, role-playing game (RPG) enthusiasts have a chance to explore this earlier version of the White Wizard thanks to Free League Publishing, who are releasing two RPG campaigns focused on adventurers attempting to redeem him.

These books tell the same story, but use different game rules. One is designed for Free League Publishing’s The One Ring roleplaying game, and the other is for the 5th Edition version, which will be easy to pick up for players of Dungeons & Dragons. The only difference between the two is how the game is played – the story itself remains consistent.

The physical copies of both Hands of the White Wizard and Trials of Saruman will be available in June 2026. If you pre-order either book, you’ll receive a digital PDF version immediately, letting you start playing the campaigns right away on your computer.

Both Hands of the White Wizard and Trials of Saruman feature six adventures that take place before the War of the Ring. In these stories, Saruman hasn’t yet turned to evil, giving players a chance to influence him and potentially create a brighter future for Middle-earth when the search for the One Ring begins.

What Would Happen If Saruman Never Fell to Darkness?

Many fans have wondered what might have happened if Saruman hadn’t become evil, and it probably would have helped the heroes. With a good Saruman, Rohan wouldn’t have been attacked, and Boromir would have survived. The Fellowship could have avoided the dangerous path through Moria, although Saruman still might have been tempted by the power of the One Ring.

It’s fun to imagine what The Lord of the Rings would be like if Saruman had stayed on the side of good, and players who achieve the highest rank in Hands of the White Wizard or Trials of Saruman might get to explore that possibility. 2026 is already shaping up to be a great year for Lord of the Rings fans, and this new game is a fantastic addition to the world.

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2026-05-07 00:42