Waaaaarrrrrrrrrr

So as promised, today was a day to learn to play Middle earth sbg. My only experience of it previously being some 15 or so years ago and Carols experience being non existent. So it was a slow going process with lots of page flipping and head scratching.

We decided to give the first scenario in the Pellanor fields book a go a couple of times to try and get our heads around the rules.
24 Moranon orcs vs 12 riders of Rohan. Mission- get 7 riders or more off the table for victory, 6 for a draw and any less a defeat for the rohirrim.
I took the orcs and Carol took the Rohirrim.

Game 1 was played and victory went to the Orcs.

A battle report from Carols perspective can be found on her blog -  https://lairofthegamesmistress.wordpress.com/2018/09/28/charge-of-the-rohirrim/

So a brief respite for food drinks and round 2 was upon on us, Same game, same sides. Would the outcome be any different.

Carol rearranged the table a little. We lack much scenery so please excuse the lack of it and rather shady bits we did use.

Turn 1 saw the Rohirrim move forward to unleash volleys of arrows to no avail. The orcs had politely moved up into range to help. Guess they hadn't taken lessons from Legolas at this point.
The field looked like this.

Turn 2 saw the orcs advance further whilst the Rohirrim held their line and unleashed another volley or arrows and spears. But again there was no effect on the orc lines.

There was some appalling dice rolling but i reckon it was the orcs doing this that put the pretty little Rohirrim off their aim

Turn 3 saw more of the same. Orcs advancing under the withering hail or Rohan arrows. But the orcs were not 'cracking' and still no casualties were taken.

Turn 4 and the dancing came to an end. With a mighty roar the orcs stole the priority for the first time and charged headlong into the sons of Rohan. That was about all that was mighty though.

The clash of steel and wood, mixed with the screams of the dying and whinnying off horses as battle got personal. At the end of the fight orcs lay dying alongside a lone Rohan horseman.

The pile of shame.

 Turn 5 and some shuffling, some scrapping, a few spears and some poor souls trampled under hoof as the combat got bitter. More orcs died, but another Rohirrim was dragged from his saddle. But the orc lines were breaking and holes began to appear.

Turn 6 and the Rohirrim sensed their moment and started to make for Gondor or the table edge as we know it. With the orcs frantically chasing after them

Turn 7 saw the priority switch back to the orcs and they desperately tried to delay the Rohirrim escape....and mostly failed. Lives were lost clinging desperately to the speeding horses.

Turn 8 and with the casualties rising and Saurons eye scowling down on them, many orcs fled int0 the wilds. All bar 2 suicidal maniacs that is.

With priority on their side they charged the Rohirrim, desperate to stop too many escaping. Could they hold the line and allow the ill tempered kin to sack Gondor.

They could surely try. Slaying 2 more Rohirrim and taking the toll to 6. They fought like the feral beasts they were.
But then like the fickle hand of fate likes to show. The courage of the lone orc fighting the 3 Rohirrim failed and he fled leaving the lone orc to watch helplessly as the final few Rohirrim charged off the table.
The end result a draw. But it felt like a win.

A thoroughly enjoyable couple of games. We are looking forward to expanding the rules and taking on the challenge of learning more.

Oh and apparently. Our new table is now in the UK with parcel force. So close.

Tomorrow there is unlikely to be any update as we are going on an adventure!!!! To Warhammer World!