The dark realm of Sauron in the southeast of Middle-earth, a barren land enclosed on three sides by mountain ranges - the Ash Mountains to the north, the Mountains of Shadow to the west and south. At its heart stands Mount Doom (Orodruin), the volcano in whose fires Sauron forged the One Ring. The Black Gate (Morannon) guards the only conventional entrance. Mordor is a land of ash, shadow, and poisoned air, sustained only by Sauron's will and the labour of his slaves. The plateau of Gorgoroth and the fortress of Barad-dur dominate the landscape.