wargamesdiary   A diary of war games and board games

War of the Ring (Collecter’s Edition: Second Edition Rules; Lords of Middle Earth Expansion).

Using the CE with the 2nd edition cards and rules Mike and Phil played as Rohan and Gondor against Andy and Darryl playing as Sauron and Saruman.

The Fellowship barely made it out of Rivendell before they were driven east across the High Pass and Frodo was wounded with a Morgul Blade.  The corruption counter rapidly reached 7 and flocks of Crebain, a Nazgul and high numbers Eye dice gave the fellowship a very hard time.  Gandalf (Keeper of the Elven Ring) therefore set out (I shall go alone heals 1 corruption)  towards Rohan with Merry to rouse Theoden (Elven Ring) before Wormtongue could delay him further.  Strider was the guide but the Fellowship could hardly move and then Smeagol became the guide just as Strider found some Athelas.  The Fellowship has now safely reached Rivendell but will need some time to recover before moving on.  Smeagol has fled rather than face the Elves.

The Elves and the Dwarves (led by Gimli who never left for Rivendell) have steadily mobilized in the North and a Power too Great protects the elven Strongholds.  The Dwarves are marching towards Dol Guldur and the Elves wait outside Moria.  Yet something stirs in the Deep that may prove too strong for the Galadhrim.

To the South The Southrons are mustering on the borders of Gondor in great numbers now ready for War.  To the East armies begin to gather, but the Men of North are gathering at Dale to defend against them if needed.   Minas Tirith was besieged by Gothmog before Denethor could be stirred to action.  Indeed Madness befell him and all seemed lost.  Somehow Gothmog’s forces failed to take the Citadel and as re-inforcements began to gather from Mordor the Rohirrim arrived led by Theoden from Edoras with Gandalf the Grey at his side.  However Denethor’s Madness infected Theoden’s deployments too so a Will of the West was required before the Relief Attack could begin which lost the opportunity to bring Gandalf the White into play.  In the ensuing battle Gothmog was cut down and Minas Tirith was saved.  However new forces gather at it’s borders in ever greater numbers from Mordor and The Southrons are now poised ready to assist.  Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth has advanced cautiously towards Pelargir but his forces are too few to face the Southrons alone.

In Rohan, with Theoden having ridden to Minas Tirith Saruman has besieged Helm’s Deep and prepares to muster his own forces for the final blow.

All lies in the balance and all Hope Turns to the Fellowship of the Ring at Lothlorien.  Can Frodo’s injuries be healed enough before the final part of the journey?

Christmas Games Night

Andy, Phil, Izzy, Mike and Bruce played some games.

We started with the Hobbit Card Game (a trick taking game).  Evil Mike and Phil won the first game.  Good Mike, Andy and Bruce the second.

Then we played a game of the French Revolution; Guillotine where Noble Cards were beheaded in bloody revenge.  Andy won that.

Next up were two games of horse racing Giro Galoppo.  Izzy and Andy won a race each and Phil came last twice.

Then we played Bruce’s Nightmare Course in Snow Tails.  Phil started last after his poor showing in racing and had a dreadful start finding his way blocked, suffering damage then careering out of control, veering to the left of the track on a right hand bend.  Izzy raced off first leaving everyone behind and led the race for most of the game with  Bruce and Andy closely following.  Mike was doing well until he ran into a spot of bother (a cliff). This allowed Phil who had actually brought his sled to a full stop earlier to sneak by him. So Izzy won, then Bruce followed by Andy.  Phil was slightly catching up at the end and Mike decided to walk and carry the remains of his sled home.

Finally a quick game of Bluff in which Phil was somehow victorious, probably thanks to a dram of Auchentoshan Whisky.

So all in all a fun set of games played for Christmas.