Game 239 - WOTR

[JB.]

Free Peoples of Middle Earth,

Murazor, First of the Nazgul, sends his greetings to all. A Dark Storm brews in the East, and will soon be unleashed upon the West. You mighty men may as well do as the Elves do and flee on white ships for fairer lands. These lands will soon be darkened with your blood, at least the Elves have recognized the futility of resistance and leave en masse, with only a few impotent tricksters remaining to buy time for their kin. Well, time has run out. There is no Last Alliance, only the last war of this age, and it brings your doom.

The Witch King

[tonyz]

My dear great-great-......-great-uncle,

The Free Peoples of Middle-earth -- Elves, Dwarves, Men, Ents, and Halflings -- stand united against you. Our leaders have personally experienced the machinations of your Dark Lord and his master; our peoples are resolved to fight through to victory.

Our people are rushing to the banners; yours must be driven with whips. That alone spells victory for us.

Oh, and that little ring you put so much faith in? Well, I have it on good authority that it's presently sailing to the West, where someone named Aule is planning to make it into a nail clipper. You can stop hunting for Smeagol now.


Aragorn II
Captain of the Dunedain of Arnor
Bearer of the Star of the West
The guy who mooned Minas Morgul three decades ago

[JB.]

That was you? You blinded our scouts with the reflection off your pale ... shield. For such an affront expect to find your death particularly painful.

The Witch King
He who was mooned

[dshimel]

Rumors do tell that our distant kin, the dark Dunadain of Umbar, have again bartered liberty for the scraps from Sauron's table. We will ensure they regret that decision.

Prince Imrahil.

[JB.]

Just keep it in the pants, ok? Your northern cousin can't seem to behave himself. Plus ... the sunburn factor ...

[smuller]

wow,
witch king to the north, dragon lord to west, east and south. mel brooks moment anyone? "gang bang the woodmen" at least if i march in the wrong direction this turn, i'll run into opposition. for the love of the trees, can't we all just get along? i get a few skill rank improvements, and my nearest bad guy neighbors get super-uber armies.

sm #1 uk 239

[JB.]

Tree-hugger,

Bolg merely wishes to find a nice winter cozy in the woods. It gets cold up in Mt. Gram. We see you have scurried like ants to cover all your woodland huts, even recruiting the elves to protect a meager village. But surely we can come to some sort of accommodation? All we want is ... well ... everything. And don't worry, we're ready for the horsies ...

The Witch King

[JB.]

No one up for talking?

Some party at Osgiliath already. Not a big surprise, I suppose, good thing "breeding" orcs is so easy.

JB

[dshimel]

No one up for talking?

Some party at Osgiliath already. Not a big surprise, I suppose, good thing "breeding" orcs is so easy.

JB

We tremble in our meager hovels, dreading the time when the DS will roll out of Mordor and across Middle Earth... Our distruction is clearly near in this obviously lop-sided scenario...or so sayith the GMs who will not play WotR due to its drastic DS advantages.

Oh how we lament the coming devistation that you will shortly visit upon us....

Or not.

[JB.]

I must say, the hospitality at Shrel-Kain is certainly lacking.

[smuller]

dear murazor,
you roll into 2508 with 1800 troops, kill off 100 hi and stick around? are the women at 2305 that pitiful. i'm flattered that you spent 5k in troop costs to reside at 2508, but i was busy with a friend taking 2409 from your buddy khamul. please fiddle while your greenwood holdings fall.

sm
woodmen in uk 239

[JB.]

Have you seen the picture of Blogath? That, my friend, is who Murazor keeps around for females.

Plus, if we left, we wouldn't be able to see you spend another 5k in gold to recruit new officer fodder and stitch a banner together for them to die under.

As for Goblin Gate - nasty place. Dragons, cold weather, bad loyalty ... good luck holding on to the place.

Bolg

[Drukarzun]

obviously lop-sided scenario...or so sayith the GMs who will not play WotR due to its drastic DS advantages.

I tend to think the opposite. Adding a few troops to the DS doesn't compensate for the huge additional tax base and recruiting capability of Gondor and Rohan. I'd be curious to know how many WotR games have been played, and the victory distribution.

[Ed Mills]

The creator of this variant says the DS were puffed up without his prior knowledge and consent. The Company says it wasn't them. So, draw your own conclusion. Does The Company have a history of 'tinkering'?

[Drukarzun]

The creator of this variant says the DS were puffed up without his prior knowledge and consent. The Company says it wasn't them. So, draw your own conclusion. Does The Company have a history of 'tinkering'?

Ed,

That's not quite right. Mr. Devereux tells me (I just asked him) that he was in on the "puffing up" of the DS concurrently with the design of the variant, even though it wasn't part of his original artistic vision (if you will), which was mainly additions and changes to popcenters; further, he was in on it to the extent that he changed the proposed additional DoL troops from HI to HC for consistency's sake.

This is one I don't think you can pin on The Company (in Ominous Capital Letters).

Drew

[Ed Mills]

Drew:
Thanks for the interest. Going back to the 10 December 2004 List, here is what was said exactly (I quote):

"RD: Well firstly; I am rather bitter because some of the DS 'extras' eg the extra troops and extra gold, were not my idea but were added at somebody else's suggestion. I think but can't swear it was Clint himself, and if so he can harly criticize me for making the DS too strong!"

So, from this I conclude there was a 'forced' collaberation at work.

[Drukarzun]

Drew:
Thanks for the interest. Going back to the 10 December 2004 List, here is what was said exactly (I quote):

"RD: Well firstly; I am rather bitter because some of the DS 'extras' eg the extra troops and extra gold, were not my idea but were added at somebody else's suggestion. I think but can't swear it was Clint himself, and if so he can harly criticize me for making the DS too strong!"

So, from this I conclude there was a 'forced' collaberation at work.

Ed,

Very interesting. I'll have to go back and find that thread; however, from what you've pasted above, and the answer I got from Richard, sounds like to me the context of the bitterness is Clint's claim of DS advantage, not DS advantage per se. Here is what I got from Richard the other day on the subject, verbatim:

"RD: The scenario as submitted by me made additions and changes mostly to pops, but also also smaller changes to characters and one to artis.

Somebody else - I can't recall who - said that DS should be further pumped up with armies and gold. I did not think this would make much difference so I went along with it to get the scenario launched. I even changed the proposed DoL reinforcement of hi to hc for the sake of consistency, not because I thought he needed it.

So I have to admit, I -was- aware of the extra troops and gold for DS, altho they were not in my original plan.

Hope that's cleared things up, and yes you can quote me,

Richard."

My take on this whole controversy is that Clint placed a near mortal blow to the WotR scenario when he publicly claimed DS advantage. I'd be bitter too if it were my baby.

Drew

[MPinsono]

I find the claim of a DS advantage in this scenario simply BIZARRE. If you look over the pop center lists the Northies, Silvans, Noldo, Riders, NG, SG have all been substantially strengthened. Take the entire Sea of Rhun and the Northmen are still as strong as their starting 2950 position, for example...

The one actual advantage for the DS in this scenario is that the market is tough to deflate because of the extra cash and pops.

cheers,

Marc

[Mormegil]

IMHO, the unbalancing does not result from the DS or FP positions. It results from the neutrals, which are usually prealigned in WOTR. The DS usually have to struggle economically when fully recruiting, and just that is vital for game balance. With KE and Cor on their side, the DS are totally in control of the rich south; with unmolested nations able to send gold and as camping ground. That turned out to be a big advantage in both WOTR games I have played.

[MPinsono]

I think the neutral effect that you're talking about would apply equally well to standard 2950. The difference is the market; it's tougher to squeeze the servants economically in WOTR than it is in standard 2950.

However, it's a whole lot easier to squash the servants militarily in WOTR than in standard 2950 too. It really is a hybrid 1650/2950 scenario, and my favorite of the lot by a wide margin.

[JB.]

I'm certainly enjoying it, at least so far (first go for me). Part of that is the order limitations in the early going of the WK, not that this is scenario specific but the demands of the position in WOTR (army placements, etc) have me eagerly awaiting my turn to see if the order selection, which I spend a large amount of time on, pays off. Certainly more time than any FA or even 1650 games. Similar to 2950 I suppose. Anyway, fun so far, but only my first WOTR game.

Marc, how many WOTR's have you played?

[MPinsono]

Five games here. First was NG/Free Khand; second was Northmen against a Dark Rhun; Third was Cloud Lord; Fourth was Dark Corsairs; Fifth (now) is Noldo. We have some experience in this one :) Of course, so do Richard and LGT on your side of the fence.

Marc/Noldo 239

[JB.]

Yup. Here's to hoping for a good game

[Gian Giacoppe]

I know the WK order crunch must be extra tough with commanders forgetting the 215 order.

I have to like the luck I've gotten with initiative at 3024 though, it's been handy.

[JB.]

Yeah, yeah yeah. Capturing Waulfa makes an orc feel a little better, but only a little. Also, who knew when pressed to it those elves could breed so much!

[Mormegil]

[QUOTE=MPinsono]I think the neutral effect that you're talking about would apply equally well to standard 2950. The difference is the market; it's tougher to squeeze the servants economically in WOTR than it is in standard 2950.

You may be right about the market but I think my point about the neutrals is still valid. In no prealigned 1650 game you will see Harad and Corsairs on the same side, so the whole area is heavily contested unlike in 2950.

[MPinsono]

I've actually been involved in WOTR games with interesting neutral mixes, and I'd actually recommend that people looking at the scenario mix and match. We had one game with a free Khand (deadly for the dark servants!), and another with a dark Rhun (bad dark servant choice; since Rhun characters don't start at the new pop centers the free can mathematically guarantee that all of the new pop centers get nailed on turn 1).

As in normal 2950 the most interesting games involve a free power in the south and a dark power in the gap of Rohan. I've never run one with dark WW/Duns and free Khand/Corsairs, but that could actually be a pretty interesting one I'd think.

[Gian Giacoppe]

people just don't know if they can gloat or
not

[dshimel]

people just don't know if they can gloat or
not

Personally, after the last game, I'm too afraid to gloat. A little gloating turned into bruised feelings, turned into refusal to drop, turned into hundreds of wasted dollars, turned into truely pissed off....

[smuller]

i'll gloat...

gloat, gloat and for those amoung you that are pyton fans,
" i gloat in your general direction."
i'm gloating over the fact i have taken no pop centers, had a few armies crushed and a commander captured. clearly, reason to gloat.
forgive me, i'm fat, and i have to over compensate by gloating to cover my weaknesses, which are far too many to list here.
plus, drukarson overran two of my armies at 3423 in a gunboat game. nice timing drew, i was so busy trying to get the camps gothmog posted into villages/towns to keep the rhudar alive, that i neglected to assist at ithil.
oops, crosing threads again, which for you ghostbuster fams is like crossing streams.

sm

[JB.]

Personally I am pretty think skinned, taking taunting that is in game is easy. It's when it gets personal that it is hard to brush off. Any taunting done to Murazor to this point has been light, as far as I consider it.

[Drukarzun]

to smuller: so that was you, eh? Who did I kill? I'm just glad you know it was my troops and not the NG huge army that arrived the same turn. <g>

to Gian and dshimel: go ahead and gloat; you have the 2:1 end game trigger in place for this one.

[Drukarzun]

I guess Kynoden didn't see Gurthlug until she tapped him on the shoulder because of that silly ski mask he was wearing...I didn't realize the climate was cold enough for ski masks and TWO cloaks...

[Gian Giacoppe]

I'm just curious, at 3024, we've seen the IK, the WK, the FK, the dog lord, the dark L, and now the QA and corsair are marching up the east bank from the south. that's 7 of your team, plus the CL blowing the bridge at 3024/2924.

I have to admit I'm not used to this kind of attention. Shame about the QA and Corsair navies though, or not.

[Kevin Given]

I guess Kynoden didn't see Gurthlug until she tapped him on the shoulder because of that silly ski mask he was wearing...I didn't realize the climate was cold enough for ski masks and TWO cloaks...


Drew,
Was that you with Gurthlug? That was annoying - I should have realized the danger after the events at 3007.

Oh well, wasn't my biggest mistake in the game, nor will it be my last.

Kevin

[JB.]

I'm just curious, at 3024, we've seen the IK, the WK, the FK, the dog lord, the dark L, and now the QA and corsair are marching up the east bank from the south. that's 7 of your team, plus the CL blowing the bridge at 3024/2924.

I have to admit I'm not used to this kind of attention. Shame about the QA and Corsair navies though, or not.
Gondorian meat is particularly tasty, well fattened after years of decline. We're all just coming to dinner.

[Drukarzun]

Drew,
Was that you with Gurthlug? That was annoying - I should have realized the danger after the events at 3007.

Oh well, wasn't my biggest mistake in the game, nor will it be my last.

Kevin

Hey Kevin,

Long time, no see! (Umm, 'type', I guess, really.) If you've made two mistakes this game, I'd say you're already at 200% of your average. Btw, what are those guys thinking, sticking you with the NM instead of some power position? Isn't the NM position usually reserved for some dweeb?; you know, like when I was the NM the last time we were on a team together. <g> Well at least in 2950 you don't have to look at Beawyn's character portrait (if they didn't assign it to another name I suppose); *she's* the one who ought to have a ski mask. Her Glamour Shot ranks right up there with that orc-hottie Gurthlug's.

Drew

PS Remember the 'good old days' when we sat by our mailbox waiting for our turns, like Ralphie waiting for his secret decoder ring, and we were just a string of numbers at CompuServe dot com? <g>

[JB.]

Now that I know Boromir is still alive, just how close did he get to death when he was sneezed on? Of course you're probably not going ot tell me, although 4 turns later there is no enemy probitive value here.

[Kevin Given]

Hey Kevin,

Long time, no see! (Umm, 'type', I guess, really.) If you've made two mistakes this game, I'd say you're already at 200% of your average. Btw, what are those guys thinking, sticking you with the NM instead of some power position? Isn't the NM position usually reserved for some dweeb?; you know, like when I was the NM the last time we were on a team together. <g> Well at least in 2950 you don't have to look at Beawyn's character portrait (if they didn't assign it to another name I suppose); *she's* the one who ought to have a ski mask. Her Glamour Shot ranks right up there with that orc-hottie Gurthlug's.

Drew

PS Remember the 'good old days' when we sat by our mailbox waiting for our turns, like Ralphie waiting for his secret decoder ring, and we were just a string of numbers at CompuServe dot com? <g>


Sorry for the delay in replying...

As for the NM, well, with Khand out, I wanted to try something, but that went up in the smoke from three burning towns. I guess I'll have to find something else to do.

As to the cloaks, the first was indeed for Gurthlug to wrap her face in. The second was meant to be worn on top of the first cloak - insurance in case the first one ripped...

Yeah, I do remember those days from long ago - a lot of Ovaltine under the bridge. Remember those 8 1/2 by 11 hex maps Dave Hou made from Turcottes' mapping program? I'm still using a set of them.

Regards to your brother


Kevin


PS Don't sweat the 2/1 rule; it's not going to come up. 238 was an anomaly that was so far removed from the norm, that no one outside the game could appreciate.

[Drukarzun]

Sorry for the delay in replying...

As for the NM, well, with Khand out, I wanted to try something, but that went up in the smoke from three burning towns. I guess I'll have to find something else to do.

As to the cloaks, the first was indeed for Gurthlug to wrap her face in. The second was meant to be worn on top of the first cloak - insurance in case the first one ripped...

Yeah, I do remember those days from long ago - a lot of Ovaltine under the bridge. Remember those 8 1/2 by 11 hex maps Dave Hou made from Turcottes' mapping program? I'm still using a set of them.

Regards to your brother


Kevin


PS Don't sweat the 2/1 rule; it's not going to come up. 238 was an anomaly that was so far removed from the norm, that no one outside the game could appreciate.

Kevin,

Very nice, a variation of the old "two-bagger" joke. And yes, I too still have those Dave Hou maps, but I've subsequently ran across another pdf based 8.5x11 hex map I like better. Btw, I tried to email Dave 4 or 5 years ago, a couple of years or so after our last game with him, and my email bounced. Too bad, he was a "good egg" all in all. I hated to see him and Aaron Bourg leave the MEPBM community.

This is starting to sound like a stroll down memory lane, certainly no way for folks to behave when they're at war with each other. <g> I'll email you after the dust settles on this game; maybe we can do some Monday morning quarterbacking -- I got your automated change of address notice the other day.

Drew

[JB.]

Enter the Dragon.

[smuller]

big "k" saved you at 2715. that was most unpleasent for us woodfolk. there's only so many dragons, and only so often they can bail you out.
having typed that, nice save.

sm: woodmen

[JB.]

Quite a bit of effort for bleak, gloomy, cold real estate at Mt Gundabad, aka Murazor's Ski Chalet. We would have given you free lift tickets if you had asked nicely!

[smuller]

2305 was disappointing..

however, there is that is that minor victory at 3822, and 2715 appears to be favorable. it would be too bad from my view, if 2305 was your last bastion north and west of mirkwood. a major town/ city a turn, is good enough. seems the leaves are starting to color, general winter is round the bend.
sm of woodmen

[smuller]

dol guldor under new ownership. next stop, 3221/2305.

sm woodmen
agents anyone?

[JB.]

Just don't let the elves put too many flowers around the limbs of Dol Goldor. The place is just natually gloomy. plus, when we return, it would ba shame to have to burn them all.

[JB.]

Turn 11 and you've driven the Nazgul from their Winter Ski Chalets. Where will we go now for fun since the north is picked clean? We'll have to have a discussion with our populace, who seems eager to embrace flower picking Elves and Rangers with ambitions bigger than their abilities. At least the Gondorians amid the Anduin know their true masters.

[smuller]

jb,
here at freep hq, we had a mantra change.
we have taken down our "gundabad in the fall, vistas unlimited" posters, and replaced it with "ski durthang/morannon, best snow in mordor." we understand barad dur is one hell of a apres ski location. our plans are revealed. enjoy your rental of the east bank of the anduin.

sm/woodmen

[JB.]

It's kinda a dump though, rotting Gondorians and troll feet. I hope there isn't a deposit

[smuller]

consider the facts.
its was once beautiful, scenic and desireable ground. hence the reason you sent all your armies, and we sent some of ours to defend it. so now that you have control of it? its a dump. yet another reason all you neutrals should invest and join with the free nations! based on common knowledge, troll garrisions tend to "deposit" when they get the urge. the mystery of plumbing to your mordor types.
wait, its a grudge game. had to practice the pitch line for future use. okay, all you non involved thread viewers, vote for us good guys, better living condictions. off to work, good luck in all things not 239.
sm/woodmen

[Drukarzun]

I got the strangest nation message this turn; wonder what the heck is going on?

There are rumors of an encounter involving Galadriel and the avian flu in Lothlorien.

[JB.]

Perhaps she should have gone south for vacation with the gondorians?

[smuller]

nah,
the bad guys capped galadriel. its like a punch in the gonads, but not as much fun( sarcasm). of course, that drew understands the smoke signals from 2006, 2305, 2715,or either of the m towns( ice king cap) we nuked this turn, is impressive. can't make an omlette without breaking a few eggs.
lotsa haymakers in this game. evil agents, pin and kill armies and naked hi backed with dragons vs our agents, emmisaries and endless supply of well fed, armored hc. who knew such chaos and mayhem could be so fun?
ed, destruction on an impressive level in this game.

sm woodmen

[JB.]

Nah, total prude. Now Giordia, she's always ready to party. Best character pic ever.

[JB.]

lol, yes very nice. And on the other end of the spectrum is Blogath. I mean seriously, that's a woman? Must be the stress of living at Mt Gundabad, guess she doesn't have to worry about that anymore, as you keep reminding me =)

[smuller]

ed mills,
back off! i have lusted after nimrodel since dec12, 1997. since my first glance at her blacken imagine on white(now faded to yellow brown) paper, i have lusted after the lady in the pool (theres already a lady in the lake or pig in the pool when compared to fair nimrodel). oh yes, since gsi game #13, her image has stared lusty down at me, from just above the candle, whos light( like my desire) never cools, but burns brightly.
she must be mine, she will be mine. hands off you dirty old man.
sm
another dirty old man.
its a sick world out here, and i'm the mayor.
Blogath is saltpeter for elven troops.

[Drukarzun]

Drew, please tell me you are joking.

Actually it was a contract killing. Elrond put in for the hit on his mother in law. All that nagging about how Arwen was growing up a tomboy without her momma, and sleeping around with any ol' Ranger with a Silver Rod.

[Drukarzun]

nah,
the bad guys capped galadriel. its like a punch in the gonads, but not as much fun( sarcasm). of course, that drew understands the smoke signals from 2006, 2305, 2715,or either of the m towns( ice king cap) we nuked this turn, is impressive. can't make an omlette without breaking a few eggs.
lotsa haymakers in this game. evil agents, pin and kill armies and naked hi backed with dragons vs our agents, emmisaries and endless supply of well fed, armored hc. who knew such chaos and mayhem could be so fun?
ed, destruction on an impressive level in this game.

sm woodmen

Gundabad and Guldur are to be expected, and Ghurzun no huge surprise, but kudos to you guys on the Durthang maneuvre and emisarry strike. Our IK player isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

P.S. Keep your cloak of sarcasm handy, you're gonna need it. <g>

[Drukarzun]

Nah, total prude. Now Giordia, she's always ready to party. Best character pic ever.

"Woke up this morning with a wine glass in my hand...whose wine, what wine, where the hell did I dine?"

[Drukarzun]

Nimrodel skinny dipping in the lotus pool is nice.

Rozilan. Now she looks like she could wreck a, uh, spell.

[JB.]

Speaking of FK characters, why in 2950 does Ren look like he is wearing a veil? About to get married to Blogath and got confused as to who is the man?

[smuller]

dc,

yeah you might be right on that. the only thing you guys have in greater supply then dragons is naked hi. that first dragon at 2715 was unpleasent. but these things happen. we'll keep pushing, crash the market and hope winter lowers your side enough that we can finish you off. funny how every game boils down to that. tough sledding around 3120, we can't get in, can you get out? we don't like being on the recieving end of so many pin/kill or block/tackle agent hits.
duthang, the team suppling the tools, and RKG operating. that man has a talent for the "big" view. can't believed you killed my agent named spooky. i always wanted one of those names. at least money is not an issue for the freeps in this game. good hunting to yourside, outside 239.

sm

[JB.]

dc,

but these things happen. we'll keep pushing, crash the market and hope winter lowers your side enough that we can finish you off.
sm

It is funny how winter has such an affect. I know guys who will purposely try to delay starting a game until Spring if they are going to be DS, just keep stalling and stalling ... good thing we'll be supplimenting the Mordorian gold mines with FP pop centers by teh time it gets really cold :D

[smuller]

interesting view jb..

here in the freep hq, hanging over our world map, we have a sign that reads
"ski barad dur 05-06."

sm
at least kyndoen's ghost, is now a ghost.

[JB.]

here in the freep hq, hanging over our world map, we have a sign that reads
"ski barad dur 05-06."


lol. touche. I am enjoying this game immensely, despite your annoying gondorian landing (a mere mosquito's bite - and skip the malaria or west nile stuff), and the loss of my favorite vacation spots up north.

[JB.]

At WK Central HQ, we're happily going about our business, eating Rohirrim and just generally being nasty. Oh ok, they found Kala Dulukurth, but we've got Bolg and Rogrog up there, no big deal. Yeah, and the Ranger and Elven twits are annoying our pops, so what. Hey... what's happening in Ithili .... whoa! Party time!

[smuller]

witch king,
i think it speaks volumes about your powers of observation that you comment on the distant mountains, and miss the pile of freep troops sitting at 3024, with flight plans into mordor. maybe, just maybe, those silly freeps placed enough pressure on 3120 that you had to strip the ithil defenses a bit.( checks recon) yep, a bit thin at 3024.
really, avenger troops with war elephants at 3021? corsair troops at 3019? well thats to be expected when the quiet/sailors remove all ports and harbors. long walk to the front? enjoy the fiscal cost. at least we found use for all that surplus freep shipping. see, theres ways around those burnt bridges. as for money, seems to be the problem, too much inflation. how about we zero our reserves, and then zero your reserves too?
good thing theres plenty of timber to keep the home fires burning,( after making transports, war machines, the occasional bridge repair). the days are get shorter, and the nights colder. the winter campaign season is around the bend.
all in all, an excellent game. anyway, concerning ithil and the anduin. tag, your it.
sm
future thanks for another m town in the north. its so hard to get the reserves down, when we keep taking improved pop centers. if you call "breaking out" into 3017 by turn 14 an achievement, we need to get you a dictionary. tell "nobby" i'm tired of his constant personal visits.

[Drukarzun]

Hey I thought we sunk all your navies. Twice.

[smuller]

like you ate all our hc cav?
like that blocker army with a dragon in it?
and the quiet guy in corner with the smile as wicked as his assassins knife?
at the gates of 3120, theres a pile of hi with a dragon awaiting us?
like we fought that dragon already, 5 minutes ago?
my head hurts, is that brick wall cracking yet?
good game, read you in a week.

sm
providing grist for the 3210 mill.

[Drukarzun]

like you ate all our hc cav?
like that blocker army with a dragon in it?
and the quiet guy in corner with the smile as wicked as his assassins knife?
at the gates of 3120, theres a pile of hi with a dragon awaiting us?
like we fought that dragon already, 5 minutes ago?
my head hurts, is that brick wall cracking yet?
good game, read you in a week.

sm
providing grist for the 3210 mill.

Actually this is a fun game, isn't it? Keep pounding at us, maybe we'll slip up and let you under our guard again like we did at Durthang.
Drew

[Kevin Given]

"Actually this is a fun game, isn't it? Keep pounding at us, maybe we'll slip up and let you under our guard again like we did at Durthang.
Drew"


Oops...:D

On the plus side, it looks like we returned the favor up north.


Kevin

[smuller]

what,
no dragons at 3017? i may retire the stack of hc just to keep myself from getting spoiled. wait, i forgot. we win the battle, you cut everyone down at with 615/620 orders.
sm

[Drukarzun]

Oops...:D



Hey I thought we killed all your armies with warmachines. Twice.

[Drukarzun]

what,
no dragons at 3017? i may retire the stack of hc just to keep myself from getting spoiled. wait, i forgot. we win the battle, you cut everyone down at with 615/620 orders.
sm

Those overgrown lizards do have a tendency to leave from boredom when the armies they're with win all their battles.

[smuller]

Hey I thought we killed all your armies with warmachines. Twice.

i have 11 freep nations that feel we have fought every dragon, thrice.

we'll ban war machines right after you swear off the dragons...
or are they orcs how have taken a lifetime special B-12 vitamin injections?


sm

[JB.]

Well a nice play in the Pass, I must say. Let's see what it will cost you.

But as for the north, I didn't think Elves liked mountains?

[11 Top Hats]

Lord Pugwash of the Quiet Avenger!
Thanks for that, best laugh so far.

John

[Drukarzun]

Cat fight between Adûnaphel and Lothíriel! Should have known how that was going to turn out...Aduna doesn't have any eyes to scratch out!

[smuller]

finally, 3120.
if at first you dont succeed, try again.
and in this case; again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again........

seen the spires in the distance, but finally made it. impressive, but i wonder if theres a big ugly worm back there behind that fort. all the finest freeps are here, but did anybody bring a match?

sm

[11 Top Hats]

A note to foreign visitors to the beautiful city of Edoras.

Following several unruly visits of late, could we please note that tour companies are requested to leave their guides behind.

We know that the excellent hospitality and in depth knowledge displayed by Rohan Tour Guides Inc. is famed throughout the land, but they are at their best when showing visitors the sites of their home and taking people to the best bars and shops.

They are not part of the holiday package and are not to be removed at the end of the tour.

Thank you.

The Management

[smuller]

i'll miss beorn. he did a fine job upgrading, downgrading and making mounts.
you'll miss 3120, that city/fort did a fine job blocking our way into morannon.
cold yet? prices collapsing? reserves empty? rates rising?
sm#1/#23

[Drukarzun]

finally, 3120.
if at first you dont succeed, try again.
and in this case; again, again, again, again, again, again, again, again........

seen the spires in the distance, but finally made it. impressive, but i wonder if theres a big ugly worm back there behind that fort. all the finest freeps are here, but did anybody bring a match?

sm

I'm glad you're proud of sacking Thuringwathost on, what, T17 or something like that..? How're your commanders feeling? Sniffles? Sharp pains betwixt the shoulderblades..? Also I suggest you not worry so much about 'personal honor' and go ahead and refuse to fight duels whenever a nazgul calls you out...

[smuller]

3120-3221-3423. whats the point of the ithil pass, its a bit burnt these days.
challenged, cursed, assassinated, kidnapped. he was gonna die anyway. excellent game so far, in that after 17 turns, its up in the air. read you next turn. see you at 3120, yet again. another dragon in front of 800 hi again? lucky us.

sm #1/#23

[smuller]

A note to foreign visitors to the beautiful city of Edoras.

Following several unruly visits of late, could we please note that tour companies are requested to leave their guides behind.

We know that the excellent hospitality and in depth knowledge displayed by Rohan Tour Guides Inc. is famed throughout the land, but they are at their best when showing visitors the sites of their home and taking people to the best bars and shops.

They are not part of the holiday package and are not to be removed at the end of the tour.

Thank you.

The Management


please feel free to substitute the term Woodmen for Rohan, and either Buhr Widufiras or Maethelburg for Edoras.
thanks in advance for your cooperation.
this is what you get, when you don't burn morannon, a pack of ingrates.

sm..wood ( seems the guys carring "m" "e" "n" went missing)

[Drukarzun]

Now there's a hard luck family: first Galadriel, then her hubby and two of her grandkids. Two cursed, one assassinated, one challenged. How many more ways can an elf think of to die? Speaking of elves dying, that Ascarnil guy sure rode his 'calm' mount a long way from Mt Gundabad only to die in the shadow of the Black Gate...

[smuller]

that was some pounding the fork tongued disciples of mordor laid on my beloved woodmen nation. that was a capitol at 100 loyalty, with you guys at "hated". somedays you get the bear, today i got beared. nice work flipping it. seriously not happy about that. clearly gonna have to revert to police state tactics, and a bit of orwellian mind control in future games.
hope we hurt you more. why won't you all just die?
sm

[Drukarzun]

that was some pounding the fork tongued disciples of mordor laid on my beloved woodmen nation. that was a capitol at 100 loyalty, with you guys at "hated". somedays you get the bear, today i got beared. nice work flipping it. seriously not happy about that. clearly gonna have to revert to police state tactics, and a bit of orwellian mind control in future games.
hope we hurt you more. why won't you all just die?
sm

Hey I thought you forest guys were the bear shape-changers?

I see Arahad zagged instead of zigged. Was it cowardice on his part or just a sense of foreboding about his "health" had he climbed the mountains?

You ask Why won't we die? Now that's a silly question since we seem to be the ones dealing out all the death. I know you guys aren't used to your opponents taking you to twenty plus turns, but not everybody rolls over and dies. Actually I think we're looking quite healthy considering we're a bunch of "undead" wraiths (Ren excluded o'course).

[smuller]

nah,
arahad reckons his time is short, so hes trying to be useful. i don't think vegas deals as fast as your agents, not unexpected at this point. your not common opposition(neither are we) which is why 20 turns in, this baby might have a set of 40 turn legs. be what it will be, but its been real fun so far, the good and the bad. ( last turn i had a nice mix of both)

sm

[MPinsono]

Quite interesting thus far. We'll see how the servants fare with recent changes in the southlands. The Corsairs must feel like Yertle the Turtle after he falls from his perch. 10 MTs and Towns down to, um, 2? Granted, a couple were gifted...but I don't think the Havens were in the plans.

Between the two sides, this game is on pace for an unreal number of agent actions. At least the market is pretty decisively in the dumps.

[Drukarzun]

Hero Getstealth must've had his vaccinations...which is too bad considering the 26k worth of leather sitting at Maethelburg. Make sure and 498 so I can sell it.

Bad run of luck on the agents this time, eh? Same luck we had the turn before.

Market looks a lot better this round too. The rumors of our death were greatly exaggerated. Not a surprise since the only rumors I know of originate on this thread.

Turn 25 comin' up...

Drew

[smuller]

yep,
that food reset was a real biatch. sure, i'll 498 the pop center. nothing i like more then burning my backup capitol. as stated before...
" why wont you just die, mr dwar?"

sm#1/#23

[Drukarzun]

...and Elladan joins his siblings Elrohir and Arwen Evenstar, and his grandparents Celeborn and Galadriel. Hmmm, now if we could just track down that Elrond guy.

[Drukarzun]

The Beornlings may've recovered their leather stocks at Maethelburg, but now they've lost some food and lumber in Fanghorn I see. Surely Treebeard would take offense at that many chopped-down trees?

And forget the redshirts; look what all artifacts and hostages can be recovered when you target a 'yeller' shirt.

[Drukarzun]

How long can this madness continue? Our sweeping character advantage grows by the fortnight. Heralds and guild masters, Elves and Men, are dispatched to Mordor by their masters, never to return -- it seems to be the land of plague. The East is Dark yet again, as the inhabitants of Shrel-Kain, the last bastion of the Free, cower behind the wrecked walls of their once formidable forts, as the fields just beyond are crowded with wargs and their riders. I say to all so-called Free Peoples, bend your knee to the will of our Master Sauron, and we shall be lenient to all who submit!

So Sayeth Dendra Dwar,
The New Black Captain
First of the Seven

[JB.]

Longest game I've been a part of for a long time!

[smuller]

How long can this madness continue? Our sweeping character advantage grows by the fortnight. Heralds and guild masters, Elves and Men, are dispatched to Mordor by their masters, never to return -- it seems to be the land of plague. The East is Dark yet again, as the inhabitants of Shrel-Kain, the last bastion of the Free, cower behind the wrecked walls of their once formidable forts, as the fields just beyond are crowded with wargs and their riders. I say to all so-called Free Peoples, bend your knee to the will of our Master Sauron, and we shall be lenient to all who submit!

So Sayeth Dendra Dwar,
The New Black Captain
First of the Seven


drew,
the facts are simple.
1) your unyielding, rapier wit is far too much for us to handle.
2) your character advantage is massive, our emmisary groups reduced.
3) we can no longer mount a successful military attack on mordor.

the field is yours, well played fellas. i'll advise clint of the free side surrender in uk 239 tuesday evening. he'll read of it wednesday morning. save your pennies and your time for doing orders. cry havoc and let fly the black banners.

sm #1/#23 no more in 239.

message text sent at 9:00 pm east coast USA.

clint,
on behalf of the free side, game 239, please advise the evil side that we surrender the field to them. we will NOT be processing orders this turn. thanks for your efforts in making this game enjoyable.

sm#1/#23

[Drukarzun]

save your pennies and your time for doing orders.

I've already put in all my hours, so that's a sunk cost. And for my money, $7.90 is cheap at twice the price for being able to sack Dr. Given's capital. <bg>

I have more I'd like to chat with you guys about, as soon as we see the final turns. Very well played gentlemen. If you only knew how badly we were on the ropes in the (not too distant) past...

Drew