Post by pastafarian on Apr 6, 2008 17:23:06 GMT 1
Hi All,
I wrote up this session report for my wargaming group's forum, but wanted to share it here as well. I'm trying to introduce this game to my group, who is not familiar with it. That is one of the reasons why I describe in in somewhat of a story format, rather than using the rules. Enjoy!
This was the epic struggle between Good and Evil, but this time, Evil prevailed. My opponent played the Shadow forces and I played the Free People.
The Fellowship was led by Gandalf, and started in Rivendell, heading South. The original members were Strider, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, Pippin, Sam & Frodo, with the latter carrying the Ring, of course. Gollum inconspicuously followed the Fellowship.
The Shadow Armies delayed any advance, instead focusing on finding the one Ring. Nazgul and armies of orcs searched far and wide from the beginning. Early successes for the Shadow caused Frodo to slip on the Ring to avoid detection, but thereby increasing his corruption. Pressure from Nazgul also led to the demise of Gandalf the Grey, and later both Merry and Pippen. They sacrificed themselves honorably in order for the greater Good of keeping the Ring away from Evil. Despite the losses, the Fellowship pushed on.
Not wanting to risk the dangers of the Mines of Moria (which was being watched by Nazgul), the Fellowship, now led by Strider, decided to travel South along the western edge of the Misty Mountains. Meanwhile, the Shadow armies were mustering troops all over Middle Earth. Gondor, fearful of an attack, also held councils with the Elves on talks of going to war against this rising threat.
The first attack came against the Elven fortress of Lothlorien. Shadow armies from Moria weakened the Elves so that the Army from the East in Dol Guldur could easily destroy the few remaining Elves and take over the Golden Wood.
The Elves, now at war, mustered units in the Woodland Realm to exact revenge. After gathering a strong Army of the few remaining Elven forces, they marched South through Mirkwood towards the undefended Dol Guldur. Gondor, feeling an attack was imminent, mustered troops in defense of Minas Tirith.
The Fellowship bypassed Orthanc and reached the Fords of Isen, which was being threatened by Saruman’s warg riders, although Saruman had not yet shown his face. Gandalf reappears as Gandalf the White in Fangorn forest! Not coincidentally, Treebeard leads the Ents on an attack on Orthanc, diminishing some of the gathering army there. Feeling the presence of Saurons Nazgul, the Fellowship decides to stay put for a while. Cruel weather then forces the Fellowship back near Orthanc, delaying their critical journey even more.
The weather clears and Frodo and company head East through Rohan, stopping to rest in Edoras. Word travels that Sauron has sent out his highest commander, The Witch King, leader of the Nazgul. All the Free People nations hold council to discuss this growing threat. Although the Fellowship is weary, they cannot afford to rest any longer and decide to push forward, heading East towards Minis Tirith.
It was a sad day, indeed, when the Nazgul killed Strider in their attempt for the Ring. Not yet reaching Gondor, Strider had no opportunity to be crowned king. The Fellowship now decides to split up. Frodo believes he and Sam can hide easier alone, and they all agree that the defending Free People armies need the leadership of the other Fellowhip members. Legolas and Boromir travel ahead of the Fellowship to meet Gandalf in Minas Tirith, which is now threatened by Shadow armies in Osgiliath. Gimli, meanwhile, travels West to assist the Riders of Rohan in their defense at the Fords of Isen.
With just Frodo and Sam left in the Fellowship, Gollum reveals himself and is forced to assist them in their journey.
The Elves of the Woodland Realm successfully capture an undefended Dol Guldur, but cannot retake Lorien. The Dwarves and the men of the North, although cautious, are never threatened by the Shadow, and so are more difficult to bring to war.
The army of Minas Tirith holds fast in several attacks by Saurons army, assisted by the Mumakil of Harad to the South. Gandalf, Legolas and Boromir stay to lead the Gondor army in the fields outside of Minas Tirith, not yet having to retreat inside the gates.
The Fellowship arrives in Minas Tirith and rests, but cannot stay for long. Meanwhile, the attack from Saruman finally comes! Gimli, meaning to retreat with the Riders of Rohan into Helm’s Deep, perishes in battle. The attack was stronger and faster than anticipated, and there are no survivors. Despite an expeditious mustering in defense, Helm’s Deep falls to Saruman’s forces.
The Shadow Army musters armies north in order to stage an attack on Bree and the Shire, apparently. Sensing that the Ring is getting closer to Mordor, Sauron summons all Nazgul to Gondor. Despite this, the Fellowship slips away and reaches Minas Morgul, but not without Frodo having to place the Ring on his finger.
There is another unsuccessful attempt by the Shadow to lay siege to Minas Tirith.
“Give it to Ussss” says Gollum as he attempts to take the Ring. Gollum's actions cause the Ringbearers to reveal themselves, but Mithril Coat and Sting save Frodo. For now.
Being exposed at the steps of Mount Doom, so near to victory, proves too much for the Ringbearers. Frodo has erred in using the Ring too much, as Gandalf had warned. Even the strong will of this Hobbit no longer holds against the power of the Ring. Frodo is corrupted by the Ring of Power!
Overall, it was a tough game, tense up to the very end. My opponent played well and balanced his resources to searching for the Ring and pressuring the Free People’s cities and strongholds (except for the fact that he left Dol Guldur undefended, but it was his first game). Although it was close, I think I may have pushed the Fellowship too hard. In hindsight, I maybe should have let them rest longer in Edoras and/or Minas Tirith in order to reduce some of the corruption damage. By the way, I was on the 3rd step of the Mordor Track when Frodo was corrupted.
Very fun game!
I wrote up this session report for my wargaming group's forum, but wanted to share it here as well. I'm trying to introduce this game to my group, who is not familiar with it. That is one of the reasons why I describe in in somewhat of a story format, rather than using the rules. Enjoy!
This was the epic struggle between Good and Evil, but this time, Evil prevailed. My opponent played the Shadow forces and I played the Free People.
The Fellowship was led by Gandalf, and started in Rivendell, heading South. The original members were Strider, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, Pippin, Sam & Frodo, with the latter carrying the Ring, of course. Gollum inconspicuously followed the Fellowship.
The Shadow Armies delayed any advance, instead focusing on finding the one Ring. Nazgul and armies of orcs searched far and wide from the beginning. Early successes for the Shadow caused Frodo to slip on the Ring to avoid detection, but thereby increasing his corruption. Pressure from Nazgul also led to the demise of Gandalf the Grey, and later both Merry and Pippen. They sacrificed themselves honorably in order for the greater Good of keeping the Ring away from Evil. Despite the losses, the Fellowship pushed on.
Not wanting to risk the dangers of the Mines of Moria (which was being watched by Nazgul), the Fellowship, now led by Strider, decided to travel South along the western edge of the Misty Mountains. Meanwhile, the Shadow armies were mustering troops all over Middle Earth. Gondor, fearful of an attack, also held councils with the Elves on talks of going to war against this rising threat.
The first attack came against the Elven fortress of Lothlorien. Shadow armies from Moria weakened the Elves so that the Army from the East in Dol Guldur could easily destroy the few remaining Elves and take over the Golden Wood.
The Elves, now at war, mustered units in the Woodland Realm to exact revenge. After gathering a strong Army of the few remaining Elven forces, they marched South through Mirkwood towards the undefended Dol Guldur. Gondor, feeling an attack was imminent, mustered troops in defense of Minas Tirith.
The Fellowship bypassed Orthanc and reached the Fords of Isen, which was being threatened by Saruman’s warg riders, although Saruman had not yet shown his face. Gandalf reappears as Gandalf the White in Fangorn forest! Not coincidentally, Treebeard leads the Ents on an attack on Orthanc, diminishing some of the gathering army there. Feeling the presence of Saurons Nazgul, the Fellowship decides to stay put for a while. Cruel weather then forces the Fellowship back near Orthanc, delaying their critical journey even more.
The weather clears and Frodo and company head East through Rohan, stopping to rest in Edoras. Word travels that Sauron has sent out his highest commander, The Witch King, leader of the Nazgul. All the Free People nations hold council to discuss this growing threat. Although the Fellowship is weary, they cannot afford to rest any longer and decide to push forward, heading East towards Minis Tirith.
It was a sad day, indeed, when the Nazgul killed Strider in their attempt for the Ring. Not yet reaching Gondor, Strider had no opportunity to be crowned king. The Fellowship now decides to split up. Frodo believes he and Sam can hide easier alone, and they all agree that the defending Free People armies need the leadership of the other Fellowhip members. Legolas and Boromir travel ahead of the Fellowship to meet Gandalf in Minas Tirith, which is now threatened by Shadow armies in Osgiliath. Gimli, meanwhile, travels West to assist the Riders of Rohan in their defense at the Fords of Isen.
With just Frodo and Sam left in the Fellowship, Gollum reveals himself and is forced to assist them in their journey.
The Elves of the Woodland Realm successfully capture an undefended Dol Guldur, but cannot retake Lorien. The Dwarves and the men of the North, although cautious, are never threatened by the Shadow, and so are more difficult to bring to war.
The army of Minas Tirith holds fast in several attacks by Saurons army, assisted by the Mumakil of Harad to the South. Gandalf, Legolas and Boromir stay to lead the Gondor army in the fields outside of Minas Tirith, not yet having to retreat inside the gates.
The Fellowship arrives in Minas Tirith and rests, but cannot stay for long. Meanwhile, the attack from Saruman finally comes! Gimli, meaning to retreat with the Riders of Rohan into Helm’s Deep, perishes in battle. The attack was stronger and faster than anticipated, and there are no survivors. Despite an expeditious mustering in defense, Helm’s Deep falls to Saruman’s forces.
The Shadow Army musters armies north in order to stage an attack on Bree and the Shire, apparently. Sensing that the Ring is getting closer to Mordor, Sauron summons all Nazgul to Gondor. Despite this, the Fellowship slips away and reaches Minas Morgul, but not without Frodo having to place the Ring on his finger.
There is another unsuccessful attempt by the Shadow to lay siege to Minas Tirith.
“Give it to Ussss” says Gollum as he attempts to take the Ring. Gollum's actions cause the Ringbearers to reveal themselves, but Mithril Coat and Sting save Frodo. For now.
Being exposed at the steps of Mount Doom, so near to victory, proves too much for the Ringbearers. Frodo has erred in using the Ring too much, as Gandalf had warned. Even the strong will of this Hobbit no longer holds against the power of the Ring. Frodo is corrupted by the Ring of Power!
Overall, it was a tough game, tense up to the very end. My opponent played well and balanced his resources to searching for the Ring and pressuring the Free People’s cities and strongholds (except for the fact that he left Dol Guldur undefended, but it was his first game). Although it was close, I think I may have pushed the Fellowship too hard. In hindsight, I maybe should have let them rest longer in Edoras and/or Minas Tirith in order to reduce some of the corruption damage. By the way, I was on the 3rd step of the Mordor Track when Frodo was corrupted.
Very fun game!