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| from Zorpazorp- great graphic! |
After all the work, it was finally time to push some models and roll some dice. We played four scenarios, representing the end of the Fellowship of the Ring and the beginning of the Two Towers. We even played them as 'linked', which means that the outcomes affected the next battle each time.
Aragorn's Stand
It is on the slopes of Amon Hen that disaster overtakes the Fellowship. It is late afternoon when the travellers halt, resting upon the shore with the intention of crossing the river at night and working their way down through Emyn Muil. Unfortunately, two calamities befall the small company in quick succession. Boromir, his mind broken by the terrible influence of the Ring, has tried to seize it from Frodo. Though his madness was fleeting, it was enough to convince Frodo that he must flee from his companions and make his own way to Mordor. Even as this happens, Saruman's Uruk-hai , led by Lurtz, have found the Fellowship and are preparing to ambush their prey. It is as Frodo says farewell to Aragorn atop Amon Hen that the Uruak-hai launch their attack. Forewarned by Sting, Aragorn sends Frodo away and prepares to meet the Uruk-hai attack though he is outnumbered many times over. All he can do is hope to endure until help arrives, but with his companions scattered across the hilltop, the outlook seems bleak. Can the son of Arathorn buy time for Frodo to escape and continue his quest, or has the Fellowship failed in its goal? (pg. 85)
With the orcs pouring through the trees, Aragorn valiantly stood as Frodo made his escape. It took 9 turns for the hobbit to get away and Aragorn expended quite a few of his heroic abilities to stay alive. Luckily, the elf and dwarf burst in to help just in time.
Boromir' Redemption
Even as Aragorn struggles with dozens of Uruk-hai at the top of Amon Hen, yet more of the foul creatures stream through the trees and undergrowth of the lower slopes. Shielded by the enchantment of his Elven cloak for much of his scramble down the hill, Frodo threads his way past the searching Uruk-hai, making for the boats moored far below. Careful as he is, the Uruk-hai are too many to be avoided indefinitely, and only a chance distraction, by Merry and Pippin saves him. Unable to tell one hobbit from another, the Uruk-hai begin to chase Merry and Pippin, thinking one of them to be Frodo. As the two hobbits flee their pursuers, their fate seems certain- they cannot stand and fight several dozen Uruk-hai- yet just as the lead Uruks are upon them, Boromir comes to their rescue. Stricken and haunted by the memory of his recent betrayal, the son of Denetheor resolves to fight to the last in Merry and Pippin's defense, no matter the cost to himself. WIhin seconds, Boromir is in the fight of his life- only his skill and tenacity can save the hobbits now. (pg. 86)
Boromir fought like a demon and destroyed every Uruk-hai that he could, but the hobbits were captured. It took all of his passion and skill to chase and rescue Pippin, only to watch Merry disappear on an Uruk's shoulder and another sneak to steal Pippin anyway! Boromir did all he could, but it wasn't enough as the orcs succeeded in their mission (they think)!
The Breaking of the Fellowship
The Fellowship is now all but scattered, Frodo and Sam have taken one of the boats and continued on their quest. Merry and Pippen have been seized by Uruk-hai and even now are carried back to Isengard to face torture and death at the hands of Saruman's followers. Boromir, wounded by arrow and blade, is bleeding his life away into the dark soil of Amon Hen, surrounded by those he has slain. Each time he winded the Horn of Gondor, it was not help that arrived, but more Uruk-hai hungry for his blood. Though death reaches out to claim this mighty warrior, still he fights on in defiance of those who would take his life, yet he cannot endure for much longer. When his strength fails for the last time, the Uruk-hai will fall upon him with renewed fury and scatter the pieces of his despoiled corpse across the hilltop. Boromir's only hope lies in the arrival of his remaining companions, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Fortunately, these last three have finally managed to fight their way to the son of Gondor's side, but are they in time save him? (pg. 88)
In this scenario, Pippen was saved and Boromir didn't suffer any wounds previously, so the Fellowship was in much better shape. Unfortunately, each member of the Fellowship fell on-by-one as the orcs continued to pour in. First, the surviving hobbit was stolen again, then Legolas fell to the black arrows of the Uruk-hai, then Boromir and Aragon each lost duels that resulted in their death. With only Gimli surviving this battle, the Fellowship was truly broken and all hope for Middle Earth was fading...
Let's Hunt Some Orc
The Fellowship is broken. After the attack of the Uruk-hai at Amon Hen, Boromir lies slain, Sam and Frodo have chosen their own path to Mordor, and Merry and Pippin have been captured by Saruman's Uruk-hai. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli resolve that they shall not fail their friends and set out to rescue the hobbits from the clutches of the Uruk-hai. The Uruk-hai have a head start on Aragorn and his companions, and have dispatched a force of warriors to ambush any that dare pursue. Can Aragorn's company break through to save Merry and Pippin? (pg. 14)
While the Fellowship was all slain in the last battle, we still wanted to play the scenario that kicks off the second movie. Resetting everyone's heroic abilities, we put the "three hunters" down and mobbed them with orcs, only to watch as the heroes destroyed everything that came at them. It was bloody and brutal and definitely a good reset...
Whew, that's it! We played four scenarios in a row, mastered the rules, and had a blast discussing the story and outcomes. The group really enjoyed the game so we have the opportunity to play more. Now to see what hobbying I'll need to do for next time...
