Battle Report: Elves & Uruks

"Begone, Elves, your time on Middle Earth is ended!" The words hovered as if spoken by the wind itself. "Ignore Saruman's treacherous utterances. Proceed behind the circular ruin to the east," Elrond ordered. Elladan proceeded with that contingent, while his brother Elrohir led a small guerilla unit through the forest in the west, toward the crossbows the Uruks had left as fire support. The main Uruk contingent shifted as it approached the Elvish contingent, rotating its phalanx to face the marching elders.

The elvish archers were brutally efficient, dispatching crossbowman after crossbowman. By the time Elrohir reached their defended point, only 3 remained. In the meantime, Saruman was up to his dirty tricks. He repeatedly compelled Elrond backward, who due the utter force of Saruman's will and realizing that this was a long battle, chose not to resist. He could only sit and watch as his elves were repeatedly beaten back and felled by the Uruk pikes. Elladen was holding his line, but having suffered 1 wound, was not for Middle Earth much longer. However, here, Saruman erred. With line of sight to Elrond, instead of compelling him backward, he attempted a blast into the nearest elves, which failed. Elrond saw his chance and rushed toward the battle, calling out Nature's Wrath as he ran. However, he was still shaky from the repeated control Saruman had held over his mind, and Nature's Wrath fizzled into a gentle breeze bearing north-northwest. The breeze faded away just as a lone Yew arrow flicked in from the west, over the ruins, into the chest of the Uruk standard bearer. The banner crashed to the ground, the miraculous shot having hit its mark. The tide was beginning to turn.

Now the battle lines closed, and the brave elven archers having rushed over the ruins from their forest sanctuary, charged into Saruman, leaving Elrond to unleash his utter wrath, sending uruks flying. Seeing their chance, the elves regrouped and rushed the fallen Uruks. Elrond was pushed back, but the rest of his line held firm, inflicting many wounds. Elladan finally succumbed, and a mighty cry was heard from the west, as Elrohir charged toward murderous Uruk. With sheer might, Elrohir repeatedly beat down his foe and charged Saruman. Saruman held firm for a fight, but then his staff failed him, and he was struck down by the flashing blades of the son of Elrond. Both sides had broken by this point, but Elrond held his men firm, while the Uruks began fleeing, having no leader left. The momentum had shifted, and the elves took control of the fight, which was soon to be ended by the Uruks conceding defeat.

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This was as great fight. Jon did a fabulous job working Saruman and keeping Elrond out of the battles for several rounds. Earning priority every single turn (with one use of the palantir), Jon was free to control the battle, and he did well. The elves were just barely holding on. And with Jon rolling 6's to compel, wasting Elrond's 3 will to contest would have left nothing for his Nature's Wrath, which his warriors sorely needed. Jon erred twice, one of which definitely cost him, and one of which might have. He left his banner bearer standing alone behind the battle lines, having just forgotten to move him up toward the fight, giving my archer a tough shot, but one that he made past the ruins, bringing the standard to the ground. This definitely had an effect, as in the subsequent battle, the elves reigned supreme. The second error might or might not have made a big difference. Jon had opened a line of sight to Elrond, but chose a blast instead of a compel; it failed, leaving Elrond to charge forward and start casting. However, Elrond failed that turn, and did not win his battle; hence this mistake was not nearly as grave. The next turn, Saruman was engaged, and it was this turn that Elrond worked his magic successfully. Very interesting game where the Uruks were in control for hte first half of the game. Then as the tide turned (once Saruman was engaged and the banner had fallen), I began winning priority turn after turn, and at this point it was only a matter of time.

Great game Jon! Thanks!