Boromir, his banner flapping in the breeze, the Tree of Gondor visible for hundreds of yards, led his knights on a charge of the bridge, while his brother, Faramir, galloped to the Citadel Guard archers’ sides to lead the new recruits. This was their first battle, and the enemy had brought a horde much larger than even wise Faramir had predicted. Furthermore, a strange fear had washed over his troops before the battle. He felt they were facing a new enemy, one recently arisen that brought strange new powers into this world. Faramir wished his father had sent a more seasoned crew to support the Gondorian battle lines, but Denethor had been insistent, “These recruits need to experience battle, and this fight for the bridge should allow them to remain in the back ranks, safe from harm.” How wrong he was.
The first knight fell hard right in front of Boromir, his rider leaping to safety, avoiding the crushing weight of his horse. Boromir peered over his unmounted warrior through the now-empty space between him and the river, and counted 9 more drawn bows facing directly at him. “Behind the bridge!” he ordered. Too late. And arrow pierced his horse’s right shoulder. The horse squealed, but then calmed. Boromir patted his horse, coaxing it on after its flesh wound, but then he felt a shudder beneath him. Foam issued from the horse’s mouth, and it collapsed, sending Boromir to the ground where he landed like a cat on his feet. He retrieved the arrow from his fallen horse, hiding behind its huge chest cavity, and felt the slippery poison on the tip. Boromir issued a retreat, and his knights pulled back from the bridge, repelled by the skilled Haradrim.
Seeing the retreat, the Dark Marshall locked eyes with Boromir over the river, who faltered only momentarily before regaining his Will. The black lord then led his honor guard to the forefront of the battle, to the base of the bridge. “Prepare to charge,” he hissed. The Captain brought his orcs to bear behind the cavalry line. An unusual strategy, the Captain thought, unused to being the second line of attack, but his orcs were ready when they were needed. On the far left flank, the Haradrim let loose another sea of arrows, directed at the Citadel Guard archers. Several struck home, and the new recruits began to fall. Several arrows slammed into Faramir, but the fates were with him. Until his horse was struck. Faramir crashed hard into the ground, crying out. Grabbing his rib, Faramir saw the rock that had taken his breath. Gasping for air, Faramir stood, blood beginning to seep through his fingers.
Boromir saw the cavalry approach and knew he needed to be in the front lines to repel the charge. He led his troops atop the bridge, formed a nearly impenetrable wall spanning its width. He needed all the charisma he could muster, as his troops shuddering upon first seeing the wicked black horsemen. To his surprise, the Dark Marshall turned his horse and led his cavalry back to side of the orc horde, which also withdrew slightly. His eyes wide, Boromir recognized the feint and looked to his right, again coming face to face with the Haradrim archer line, just in time to see five arrows launched at him. Four struck him, two penetrating his heavy armor. Boromir pulled them free, having survived just barely due to the fate bestowed upon him by his bloodline. He felt the gaze of the Dark Marshall upon him, and for a moment, his feet were anchored to the bridge, but then the force dissipated and he ran back to his side of the bridge, his warriors in tow.
The Dark Marshall hissed again, and his Morgul Knights charged across the bridge, engaging the retreating enemy. Boromir felled his, as expected, and charged forward to the middle of the bridge, engaging two more orcs. The other Morgul Knights succeeded in felling the Gondorians. Faramir, having regained his composure, raised his courage and charged the left Morgul Knight, as his compatriots stood frozen in fear. Just before reaching battle, he saw one of his brother’s knights charge the other Morgul abomination. Everyone else was still. Faramir fought mightily, but the Morgul knight struck hard with his lance. Boromir was too far advanced on the bridge to see his brother fall to the black knight. The other Morgul knight defeated his foe. The knights had taken the far side of the bridge. Many foes remained, but the defense was strong.
On the bridge, Boromir and his warrior contingent continued charging forward. Boromir used his might to repel the Dark Marshall’s transfixion, and cut down orc after orc. His accompanying contingent was not as lucky. Orcs were falling at their hand. But they were also taking wounds.
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Great game! Mike used the new wraith, the Dark Marshall, who conferred a 6” banner to all of his brethren, on top of his armored steed and his standard wraith powers (2/12/2). The Dark Numenorean elites never made it to battle, but if we had continued another turn or two, they would have charged the left flank of standard warriors with their superior fight value (which was actually equal if Boromir’s banner remained close enough) and defense. The terrorizing quality of the morgul knights and black numenorians was a powerful touch, which was what led to their success across the bridge. Boromir was out of fate and will, and down to 1 Might at the game’s end, while the Dark Marshall had 6 Will remaining, 2M and 2F. The Black numenorean captain had yet to see battle. Faramir had fallen.
We called the game a draw, but then tallied Victory Points to determine if either side had achieved a Moral Victory. Tallying the point count of the evil side’s wounds, and giving half points for the half-depleted Dark Marshall, Jon had earned himself 140 points (600 point game). Not counting any points for Boromir, Mike had earned himself 179 points, a 39-point difference, less than 10% of the game point total, so the game was a Moral Draw by those numbers.
However, looking at the Victory Points method Mike had written up in the Lounge, Jon would not have received 60 points for the wraith, but rather 6 Will * 5pts/Will Used = 30 points (which makes sense as much of this wraith’s benefit comes from his 6” banner), leading to Jon actually earning 110 points. Mike would have actually earned the following extra points for Boromir: 5 Might * 5pts/Might used = 25 pts, plus 3 Will * 5pts/Will used = 15 pts, plus 3 Fate * 5pts/Fate used = 15 pts ==> 55 additional points. So Mike would have earned a total of 234 points. Mike would now have won by 124 points, 20% of the original points total, making for a Solid Moral Victory.
This was a great game! And even more “fun,” we got to play it with a backdrop of thunder and lightning and sheets of rain from the Chicago Storm of the Century!
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