Post by deadeyethingy on Oct 8, 2004 2:13:13 GMT 1
On this outing, the Vanilla Gorilla took over the Sauron Nation and Mimenkode assumed the role of Isengard and The Southrons & Easterlings. I was the FP. Neither of them had played before - I had played once before (an incomplete game).
The shadow had begun to rise again. Sauron immediately went to war and began mustering troops. Likewise, Isengard began a rapid build-up of forces. Interestingly, many Nazgul were seen about Orthanc, commanding the Uruk-hai, though to what purpose any could guess. The forces in Rohan, still unwilling to commit to war, started building up units along the Fords of Isen in preparation for what appeared to be the precursor to a viscious war.
The Fellowship, headed by Gandalf, quickly moved from Rivendell. Whispers of forces mounting at both Dol Guldur and in Moria reached the Miari's ears - but haste was the key, and so he pushed the companions south, towards the ancient dwarven citadel. Shortly thereafter, they were beset upon by Orcs and other creatures of the shadow and Gandalf fell. Saddened by the loss, but holding fast to the fellowship, the others press on - now being lead by the enigmatic ranger.
The Elves, long aware of the sleeping danger are told by Elrond that even now forces are mustering to cover all Middle Earth in a second darkness. Within moments of being told, they declare themselves at war. Forces begin mustering in Lorien and the Woodland Realm. Fearing that Angmar will once again rise up under the banner of the Witchking, Elrond leads a small group of elves East into the Trollshaws. A small battle is fought - the elves are victorious.
Massive forces are collected in and around Mordor. Isengard also sees an increase in troop strength. The Fellowship presses on, but are again attacked. Gimli falls in defence of the Ring-bearer; dozens of Uruk and Goblin bodies litter the ground about the Dwarf's last stand. The Gondorian soldiers in Osgiliath report seeing a massive army gathering out of Minas Morgul - on the march for South Ithilien. Having heard word of this, Strider departs the FSP and moves with all haste to the White City. He declares himself Heir to the Throne of Gondor - and not a moment before all hell breaks loose.
The Southrons and Easterlings go to war and immediately take a small territory in the south of Gondor. Gondor is activated and at war. Troops begin to muster. Cirdan the Shipwright, having forseen the danger, sent a contingent of Elves from the Grey Havens to land in Dol Amroth. The coupled Elvish/Gondor army marches East into Pelargir, taking the Southrons by force. Immediately a massive army marches into Osgilliath and annihilates the remaining defenders. Aragorn musters troops in Minas Tirith - fully aware of the threat posed from across the way. Scouts report an equally large army immediately behind the first...
The Fellowship reaches Lorien after a harrowing flight through Moria which saw the fall of Boromir. Saruman finally announces his intentions and launches a devastating attack against the Rohan forces who fall back to Helm's Deep. Goblins from Moria and Dol Guldur march on Lorien. The Elves fall back into their citadel. The fellowship leaves Lorien for Mordor, but are immediately beset upon by evil allies of the shadow (three corruption!). The companions stand bravely - and Pippin leaves to head south to aid Gondor.
The shadow army has laid siege to the White City. Aided by 5 Nazgul, the outlook is grim. Yet somehow, Elessar and the Soldiers of Gondor repulse them - sending them back to the fields of Pelennor wounded! But the shadow is not easily rebuffed... they attack again! This time, they eliminate half of the remaining soldiers defending... but Elessar makes a brilliant strike and devastates the host of the shadow - leaving only a small company of Goblins lead by the hateful Wringwraiths upon their fell beasts. Suddenly, the combined army of Gondor and Cirdan's Elves move in from the South and strike the shadow outside of Minas Tirith... the shadow falls including the fearsome Nazgul!
The shadow host from Moria and Dol Guldur is upon Lorien... lead by the Witchking and one of his Nazgul lieutenants. But Gandalf has returned as the White... and he will not allow the Elven Stronghold to fall... a fierce battle is fought, and both sides take damage. The shadow attacks again, but Celeborn, Galadriel and Mithrandir stand strong - and stronger still - eliminating many of the fell creatures who invaded the elven wood. The Elves press the attack in a brilliant sortie. But instead of eliminating the king and his henchman, they only remove them from the Lorien wood.
Meanwhile, an army lead by Elrond has marched into the shadow lands of the North - and he is met by Cirdan and his elves from the Grey Havens. Together, they take Angmar and prepare to take Mt. Gundabad...
And that is where we had to stop! It was late and we all had to get up for work. The game, including teaching time, had taken just under 3.5 hours. The FP were looking strong... The Fellowship, still containing Merry and Legolas were at corruption 4, and had 3 more spaces before declaring themselves in Mordor. Although a vast (nigh unstoppable) host was rematerializing in Golgoroth, and Isengard was strengthening itself for war, the shadow had failed to take any victories - but only just barely. They had a strong army prepared to move into Helms Deep and Lorien (and possibly Rivendell). However, the FP had 1 single VP from Angmar with a strong Elven army preparing to take Mt. Gundabad... Plus, Gandalf and Co from Lorien were about to meet the elves from the Woodland Realm. Although they would have abandoned Lorien, they were ready to take the poorly defended stronghold at Dol Guldur.
I feel that the game would have lasted another 30 minutes - depending on rolls and card play. It was looking like I had a strong chance at a FP Military Victory - but only because I used some insane cardplay (and luck) in my defense of Minas Tirith and Lorien both.
I really can't wait to play again! (And both Mimenkode and VG both seemed to enjoy the game and are interested in getting another go! This game is incredible with the variety.. yet it still stays so true to the theme!
The shadow had begun to rise again. Sauron immediately went to war and began mustering troops. Likewise, Isengard began a rapid build-up of forces. Interestingly, many Nazgul were seen about Orthanc, commanding the Uruk-hai, though to what purpose any could guess. The forces in Rohan, still unwilling to commit to war, started building up units along the Fords of Isen in preparation for what appeared to be the precursor to a viscious war.
The Fellowship, headed by Gandalf, quickly moved from Rivendell. Whispers of forces mounting at both Dol Guldur and in Moria reached the Miari's ears - but haste was the key, and so he pushed the companions south, towards the ancient dwarven citadel. Shortly thereafter, they were beset upon by Orcs and other creatures of the shadow and Gandalf fell. Saddened by the loss, but holding fast to the fellowship, the others press on - now being lead by the enigmatic ranger.
The Elves, long aware of the sleeping danger are told by Elrond that even now forces are mustering to cover all Middle Earth in a second darkness. Within moments of being told, they declare themselves at war. Forces begin mustering in Lorien and the Woodland Realm. Fearing that Angmar will once again rise up under the banner of the Witchking, Elrond leads a small group of elves East into the Trollshaws. A small battle is fought - the elves are victorious.
Massive forces are collected in and around Mordor. Isengard also sees an increase in troop strength. The Fellowship presses on, but are again attacked. Gimli falls in defence of the Ring-bearer; dozens of Uruk and Goblin bodies litter the ground about the Dwarf's last stand. The Gondorian soldiers in Osgiliath report seeing a massive army gathering out of Minas Morgul - on the march for South Ithilien. Having heard word of this, Strider departs the FSP and moves with all haste to the White City. He declares himself Heir to the Throne of Gondor - and not a moment before all hell breaks loose.
The Southrons and Easterlings go to war and immediately take a small territory in the south of Gondor. Gondor is activated and at war. Troops begin to muster. Cirdan the Shipwright, having forseen the danger, sent a contingent of Elves from the Grey Havens to land in Dol Amroth. The coupled Elvish/Gondor army marches East into Pelargir, taking the Southrons by force. Immediately a massive army marches into Osgilliath and annihilates the remaining defenders. Aragorn musters troops in Minas Tirith - fully aware of the threat posed from across the way. Scouts report an equally large army immediately behind the first...
The Fellowship reaches Lorien after a harrowing flight through Moria which saw the fall of Boromir. Saruman finally announces his intentions and launches a devastating attack against the Rohan forces who fall back to Helm's Deep. Goblins from Moria and Dol Guldur march on Lorien. The Elves fall back into their citadel. The fellowship leaves Lorien for Mordor, but are immediately beset upon by evil allies of the shadow (three corruption!). The companions stand bravely - and Pippin leaves to head south to aid Gondor.
The shadow army has laid siege to the White City. Aided by 5 Nazgul, the outlook is grim. Yet somehow, Elessar and the Soldiers of Gondor repulse them - sending them back to the fields of Pelennor wounded! But the shadow is not easily rebuffed... they attack again! This time, they eliminate half of the remaining soldiers defending... but Elessar makes a brilliant strike and devastates the host of the shadow - leaving only a small company of Goblins lead by the hateful Wringwraiths upon their fell beasts. Suddenly, the combined army of Gondor and Cirdan's Elves move in from the South and strike the shadow outside of Minas Tirith... the shadow falls including the fearsome Nazgul!
The shadow host from Moria and Dol Guldur is upon Lorien... lead by the Witchking and one of his Nazgul lieutenants. But Gandalf has returned as the White... and he will not allow the Elven Stronghold to fall... a fierce battle is fought, and both sides take damage. The shadow attacks again, but Celeborn, Galadriel and Mithrandir stand strong - and stronger still - eliminating many of the fell creatures who invaded the elven wood. The Elves press the attack in a brilliant sortie. But instead of eliminating the king and his henchman, they only remove them from the Lorien wood.
Meanwhile, an army lead by Elrond has marched into the shadow lands of the North - and he is met by Cirdan and his elves from the Grey Havens. Together, they take Angmar and prepare to take Mt. Gundabad...
And that is where we had to stop! It was late and we all had to get up for work. The game, including teaching time, had taken just under 3.5 hours. The FP were looking strong... The Fellowship, still containing Merry and Legolas were at corruption 4, and had 3 more spaces before declaring themselves in Mordor. Although a vast (nigh unstoppable) host was rematerializing in Golgoroth, and Isengard was strengthening itself for war, the shadow had failed to take any victories - but only just barely. They had a strong army prepared to move into Helms Deep and Lorien (and possibly Rivendell). However, the FP had 1 single VP from Angmar with a strong Elven army preparing to take Mt. Gundabad... Plus, Gandalf and Co from Lorien were about to meet the elves from the Woodland Realm. Although they would have abandoned Lorien, they were ready to take the poorly defended stronghold at Dol Guldur.
I feel that the game would have lasted another 30 minutes - depending on rolls and card play. It was looking like I had a strong chance at a FP Military Victory - but only because I used some insane cardplay (and luck) in my defense of Minas Tirith and Lorien both.
I really can't wait to play again! (And both Mimenkode and VG both seemed to enjoy the game and are interested in getting another go! This game is incredible with the variety.. yet it still stays so true to the theme!