The first of the great kingdoms of men is Rohan. The southwestern region of Middle-earth is the last and greatest bastion of human strength, and Rohan forms the area's northernmost stronghold. Rohan's men, the Rohirrim, are known throughout Middle-earth for their courage and skill. They form the first, and usually last, line of defense against the orc and goblin armies of the north. They were never defeated in battle, although their trials were sometimes very great. At this point in their story, their most immediate enemy is the wizard Saruman. Saruman is a very powerful wizard, rivaled only by Gandalf and Sauron himself. He once headed the Council of Wizards, as his greatest strength lay in his ability to command men and beasts. Even now he practices this ability with impressive results. His army is vast and powerful and guided entirely by the strength of his hand. There is neither tradition nor kingdom to guide the swords of the servants: only the will of Saruman. He has created, through unknown and evil methods, a hideous new kind of ogre. The Uruk-hai, as they call themselves, are stronger and larger than normal orcs. More importantly, they can withstand the light and heat of the daytime sun, unlike other evil creatures. This makes Saruman's army much more dangerous, as it can lay siege to any stronghold for long periods of time, something no band of wild orcs could do. Gandalf's return marks the beginning of a new phase of the epic..