The Beacons are Lit! - The Fiefdoms vs. Mordor

The sound of Orc Horns and War Drums pounded in the ears of the men of Gondor. Hirluin glanced at the Beacons before turning back to Duilin and Derufin. “Are you sure there is no other way?” he asked them. Duilin nodded, and Angbor, the grim leader of Lamedon spoke up. “Then we have no choice, we must fight our way through. For Gondor!” He leapt out of the tent, followed by Golasgil, Hirluin, Duilin and Derufin. “As Gondor’s peril worsens, so we must fight before Minas Tirith is even besieged.” Golasgil muttered to Hirluin. “Aye,” he replied. “But they will not defeat us. Not while we fight.”

Scenario – Reconnoitre, 600 Points:

This scenario pitches the armies of the Fiefdoms, who are marching to defend Minas Tirith, against an Orc ambush. This is my first game using the Warband system, and I haven’t bought the books yet, just using what I know. Images will come after the report.

Forces:

Good:

Warband 1:

Hirluin the Fair (Leader)

12 Warriors of Pinnath Gelin/

Warband 2:

Angbor the Fearless

12 Clansmen of Lamedon

Warband 3:

Duilin and Derufin of Blackroot Vale

12 Blackroot Vale Archers

Warband 4:

Golasgil, Lord of Anfalas

6 Household Guard

Total – 46; Break Point – 23

Evil:

Warband 1:

Shagrat (Leader)

6 Mordor Uruk-Hai with Shields

Mordor Troll

Warband 2:

Gorbag

6 Orc Warriors with Shields

6 Orc Warriors with Spears

Warband 3:

Orc Captain with Shield

6 Orc Warriors with Shields

6 Orc Warriors with Spears

Warband 4:

Morannon Orc Captain with Shield

6 Morannon Orcs with Shields

6 Morannon Orcs with Shields

Total – 47; Break Point – 24

The Orcs under Gorbag’s command scout the area where they place their ambush, confusion filling their ranks when the Gondorian Warriors are nowhere to be seen. Order was quickly restored when Clansmen, Archers and the Household Guard were spotted. In his bloodlust, Gorbag forced his soldiers forwards, followed by Shagrat’s Uruk-Hai and the Morannon Orcs. The Orcs continued to march forward, the last of the ranks joining the fray. The Warriors of the Fiefdoms continued their long journey, joined by Hirluin and his Warriors. A volley of arrows flew through the air, one thudding into an Orc’s shield.

The Household Guard marched towards the lumbering troll, whilst Angbor prepared his clansmen to fight Gorbag’s rabble. Two Uruk-Hai were shot in the eye by the Archers of Blackroot Vale, Golasgil yelling encouragement at his men as the threat was reduced. The Clansmen and Warriors of Pinnath Gelin formed a line, ready to receive Gorbag’s rabble, the Morannon Orcs running to help. Shagrat gave a mighty cry as Fate protected him from an arrow, but another thudded into his arm, wounding him. The Troll howled as an arrow sliced into its eye, as another Uruk-Hai fell.

The Household Guard retreated to the archers of the Blackroot Vale, as the Troll howled in pain agony, an arrow in its stomach. The Orcs crashed into the Warriors of Pinnath Gelin, as another two arrows hit Shagrat, stopped by his armour. The Orc assault lacked the energy it required, as 3 Orcs were bought down, one valiant Warrior slain in return.

The Orcs tried to keep what little momentum they had left, Hirluin and Gorbag giving mighty cries, but the Warriors of Pinnath Gelin charged into the Orcs. 3 Arrows from the Archers of Blackroot Vale found their targets, and three Orcs fell to the ground, lifeless. Four Orcs and three Uruks were slain, but four Warriors of Pinnath Gelin, three Archers of Blackroot Vale, two crushed under the Troll, and one Clansman of Lamedon would never reach Minas Tirith. The smell of blood was heavy in the air; sixteen Orcs lay dead, as did nine men of Gondor. Of the Uruk-Hai, only Shagrat remained.

The Men gained momentum as they crashed against the Orcs. Derufin and Hirluin gave Heroic cries, as the Orc Captain and Gorbag did the same. Men and Orcs leapt at each other. Gorbag stalked towards Angbor and his group of Clansmen, the Household Guard surrounding the Troll. The Morannon Orc Captain gave a mighty swing of his weapon, chopping through a Warrior of Pinnath Gelin before decapitating a Clansman. Derufin was beheaded. The Household Guard proved why they had been chosen, their blades biting deep into the Troll’s flesh, slaying it. Seven Men, including Derfuin had been slain, but seven Orcs and the Troll were lying in the mud, never to move again.

With revenge spurring them on Angbor yelled at Gorbag, his cry drowning out the Orc’s, as Golasgil also drowned out the Orc Captain. The Men smash into the Orcs, bloodlust consuming their thoughts, a single Clansman running to try and get reinforcements from Minas Tirith. Hirluin leapt at the Morannon Orc Captain. Gorbag wounded the Fearless Angbor, but Fate abandoned him, choosing to protect the Morannon Orc Captain instead. A single Morannon Orc had fallen, but four men had been slain.

The Orcs leapt into action, Duilin yelling over Shagrat, both giving orders. One of the Household Guard also began running to Minas Tirith, as two Orcs leapt pass the Men, ready to spring the trap. Fate protected Hirluin, as the swirling melee continued to leave fallen Warriors. Four Orcs and an Archer were slain.

Shagrat and Golasgil barked orders at their followers, as the Morannon Orc Captain did the same, but Golasgil kept the men under control. Nine Orcs fled as their leaders were assaulted from all angles. Angbor’s blade swept clean through Gorbag’s neck. Another Orc and Men fell, but it was enough, and the Orcs fled.

Victory Points:

Good:

- Broke enemy army, without being broken – 3 Points.

- Wounded enemy leader (once) – 1 Point.

- No escaped models – 0 Points.

Evil:

- Didn’t break enemy army – 0 Points.

- Didn’t wound enemy leader – 0 Points.

- No escaped models – 0 Points.

Good: 4 – Evil: 0.

After Battle Thoughts:

Good:

Man (Men) of the Match has to go to the Archers of Blackroot Vale. They killed half of the Uruk-Hai before they could reach the lines, as well as wounding the Troll twice. They then killed plenty of Orcs in combat, wounding Shagrat twice as well! (Even though one was saved by Fate). The banner re-rolls proved invaluable, although not being outnumbered probably helped (hooray for Angbor killing Gorbag!)

Evil:

Curse those arrows! Those cowardly humans use pesky bows to shoot at me instead of fighting with honour! (Not that Orcs have much honour). I just couldn’t break through the ranks of men, the Household Guard swept through the flank, whilst Archers killed the rabble in close combat! Archers!

The Clansmen finished burning the bodies of those dead, leaving the Orcs, as Duilin helped Derufin onto a horse. Derufin had not actually been behead, an Archer had leapt past him pushing him to the ground and knocking him unconscious. “I thought you were dead,” Duilin spoke softly. “Nay,” Derufin replied. “It is not my time to die yet, but I fear that I will not live to return home.” Angbor walked over to them, his face grim. “Against the armies that have gathered in the East victory is merely a break between battles. I will take my men to fight the Black Fleet. Death is close.” His speech was as grim as his face.

The Survivors: