by Marcus and August Groth
This scenario is inspired by the event in the first book of the Lord of the Rings-trilogy in which the four hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin are captured by the frightening creatures knows as the barrow-wights and hidden in the graves under the hills at Barrow Downs. In order to involve a little more figures in the scenario we have added a group of grave plundering Moria Goblins (Goblins do have a tendency to show up when you least want them to!). The scenario also has the special feature that it involves three players: two players that compete against one another and one who makes the whole thing just a bit more complicated.
PARTICIPANTS
On the Good side is Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Tom Bombadill. The Hobbits have daggers (except Sam who carries his trusty sauce pan). On the Evil side is 3 Moria Goblin captains with sword and shield and 17 Moria Goblin warriors with sword or similar hand weapons and shield. On the third side is 4 Barrow-wights.
POINTS MATCH
If you don't have Tom Bombadill and the barrow-wights you may replace Tom with Legolas. In this case the Hobbits and Legolas all start in the main chamber of the grave. The Good side wins if at least three of the good figures are able to leave the grave. If this is not the case the Evil side wins.
LAYOUT
The scenario is played on a board 48" by 48". The board shows the grave under Barrow Down which is a labyrinth with chambers and hallways. The main chamber is richly decorated. It is situated opposite to the entrance. There are also four smaller chambers, one in each corner of the grave. There must be several ways to get from the main chamber to the entrance.
Figure 1. Schematic drawing of the grave under Barrow Down.
The four crosses denote the starting positions of the Barrow-wights.
The Evil side sets up at the entrance to the grave. The Good side sets up the hobbits in the main chamber of the grave. The chamber lies opposite to the entrance. Tom Bombadill enters the scenario as specified under Special rules. The Barrow-wights are placed one in each corner of the grave.
OBJECTIVES
The Good side wins if at three or four of the Hobbits are able to leave the grave. If two or more of the Hobbits are killed the Evil side wins. If Frodo is killed the Evil side wins.
SPECIAL RULES
Being lost. Since the grave is like a labyrinth it is very easy to get lost. This applies to both Goblins and Hobbits. The rule is applied in the following way. Before Moving the Good as well as the Evil side has to roll a dice. A roll of 3+ implies the models know the way and they may proceed as usual. A roll of 1 or 2 implies that the models are lost. In this case the models are moved by the other sideÕs player! Barrow-wights are of course never lost in the grave and neither is Tom Bombadill.
Tom Bombadill enters the scenario. Tom Bombadill comes to the Hobbits rescue. He enters the grave according to the following rule. In turn one he enters on a roll of 6, in turn two on a roll of 5+ and so on. This means that Tom Bombadill enters the game at the latest in turn six.
Brave hobbits. Even though the Barrow-wights are terrifying the Hobbits are so determined to get out of the grave that the rule of Courage does not apply to the Hobbits.
Return of the Barrow-wights. If a Barrow-wight is defeated it materializes again in one of the four small chambers of the grave.
NOTES
No notes.