Battle Report: Drive them into the River
I have decided to try out the rules that I have begun to write for my personal gaming in middle earth. So I have grabbed a hapless family member and forced them under pain of endless annoyance and aggravation to play with me. Their only condition was that they could play Elves. :( However I was half desperate and agreed.
The armies are (of course), Elves: Legolas
1 company of Elven Archers
2 companies of Elven swordsmen
And Orcs with so trolls: 2 companies of orc archers
3 trolls
Points wise (according to my points system) there are 11 points of elves and 10 points of orcs and trolls.
Here is the fluff or scenario which shall be played out.
Thranduil has heard that orcs are once again gathering in Dol Guldur. He has discovered that a band of said orcs that were sent to recruit trolls from the Misty Mountains are returning along the eastern bank of the Anduin. He knew that those same trolls would cause his march wardens no end of grief on the borders of his realm should they become motivated and directed by whatever foul being ruled in Dol Guldur. So, without further ado, Thranduil sent out his son, Legolas with a small force of elven soldiers to ambush the orc column and drive the evil creatures into the river.
The Elves will be deploying by the forested table edge and the orcs by the river.
The Objectives
Elves: 1 vcp (victory point) for each enemy unit killed or routed.
+1 vcp for each enemy unit that flees into the river.
+1 vcp for each troll that is killed or routed.
Orcs: 1vcp for each enemy unit killed or routed.
+4 vcp if Legolas is killed.
1 vcp for each orc unit of at least half strength or troll to exit the battlefield via the enemies table edge.
The game would last 6 turns.
The Deployment.
I deployed in a tight formation with my trolls to the flanks and my orc archers to the centre.
And my opponent deployed similarly.
The Battle Begins.
The elves seized the initiative and let forth a volley of arrows. The troll on the orcs left flank roared in pain and sway dangerously from side to side before steadying itself and lumbering forward along with the rest of the orc battle line. The elves remained passive for the moment, Legolas ordering his disciplined troops to hold their ground. The elf prince himself move over to join the regiment of archers so that he would not be able to be directly targeted by orc marksman.
Just as Legolas reached the relative safety of the elven archer the orcs let forth a dark volley of barbed arrows that shrieked into the elven line killing three elven bowmen.
Now roaring in anger at the loss of elvish life the swordsmen leaped forward and charged the trolls. Their gleaming glaives rose and fell and a troll fell dead before their feat.
The orc archers yelled in dismay as the elves let out a shout of exultation as the mighty beast toppled. However, their joy was short lived as the goblins fired a great shoal of arrows at point blank range into the triumphant swordsmen killing them in droves. Their armour proved no match for the dark darts and the two remaining swordsmen began to waver. However, they knew their duty and also knew that of they fled, other elves would pay for it in blood. They were determined to finish the task that they had set out to do.
Meanwhile the troll that the elven archers had pierced with their deadly arrows but moments earlier, charged into combat with them and slew two. Legolas struck back, but his knives just slid of the beasts scaly skin.
It was a dark time to be an elf.
Things looked pretty grim for the elves right now. Still, points wise they were winning.
Valiantly the two remaining swordsmen from the unit that was decimated by the orc archers charge the nearest troll. However, even with the element of surprise on their side and the advantage of attacking the creature in the flank, they still could not pierce its hide.
Suddenly, mustering up a frothing bloodlust the orc archers leapt towards the elves yet their short knives could not pierce the swordsmen's armour. Meanwhile the other troll finished off the remaining elvish archers and turned its attention on Legolas. In desperation he slashed out but to no avail, he could not pierce the beast's tough hide.
Finally, after much toil, Legolas manages to dispatch the troll and vaults on top of the carcass to survey the battlefield.
His companions were struggling as yet more orcs leapt into the fray like waves crashing onto the beach.
Then troll swung his mighty hammer and knocked a handful of elves flying! As they began to rise they where set upon by orcs with knive and where slaughtered.
Legolas was on his own!
Seeing that there was no hope in overcoming such numbers on his own, he turned and fled towards the forest. Rather live to fight another day than to throw ones life away in despair and rage. The orcs jeered at him as he retreated and made as if to follow him yet they knew in their black hearts that they would not catch him. Some fired arrows after him in the vain hope of wounding him and they succeeded! An arrow slammed into the princes shoulder but he staggered on out of dangers way.
The orcs controlled the battlefield and victory seemed like it was theirs. Even though there were less trolls than when they had set out, they had slain many fair elves and their master would be pleased about that. And the orcs cared not if trolls died here or there. There were always more.
Thoughts on the Battle
The basis of the rules worked well, however I am going to either de-buff the trolls or buff the elven swordsmen. Legolas was a real flop this game and so maybe I will buff him. Thinking of introducing something like lotr SBG might? I will see.
Still, it was fun! I was rooting for my opponent to win and so when they continuously failed to kill a bunch of meek little trolls their was much wailing and gnashing of teeth ( in other words swearing and wardancing :) ). I am going now to tweek a few rules to make them flow better.
That is (finally) all for now folks. Cheers!
