by Marcus Groth
This scenario takes place in Gondor at the moment when Frodo and Sam has been caught by Faramir and his Rangers. As the rangers move through the forest with their new prisoners a group of Easteringlings appear. Faramir would have preferred to avoid battle but the Easteringlings attack. The Rangers have to defend themselves but Faramir's main concern is to get the Hobbits safely away from the fight so that he can interrogate them and hopefully get some news about his brother Boromir.
The Easterlings are not that many so it should be an easy victory for the brave rangers. However, the Easterlings do not travel alone: they have an Oliphant!
PARTICIPANTS
On the Good side is Frodo, Sam, Faramir and 10 Rangers of Gondor with bow. Faramir carries bow and heavy armour (giving Faramir a defence value of 6). On the Evil side is 10 Easterlings with sword and shield, 1 Oliphant and 2 Easterlings with bow. The archers are riding on the Oliphant. For information about the Oliphant see under Special rules and Notes below.
POINTS MATCH
Frodo and Sam are prisoners and are not allowed to attack either Rangers (which they in any case would not want to) or Easterlings. This means that their Point Values are not added to the Good side's points.
LAYOUT
The scenario is played on a board 48" by 48". There is a forest at the top of the board and a lake in the lower left corner. The terrain is rather flat and sandy without big rocks etc. The forest is sparse and made up of large pines trees. On the edge of the forest is a passage the leads to Faramir's cave.
Figure 1. Schematic drawing of the forest.
The Evil side sets up close to the lake. Two Easterling scouts are allowed to be placed between the forest and the lake. Frodo, Sam and one Ranger that acts as guard are placed in the forest as far away from the passage as possible (see figure below). The rest of the Rangers are set up in the forest.
OBJECTIVES
The Good side wins if Frodo and Sam can exit safely through the passage leading to Faramir's cave. If Sam is killed the game ends in a draw. If Frodo is killed the Evil side wins.
SPECIAL RULES
Captured Hobbits. The Hobbits are Faramir's prisoners. They can only move if in base contact with a guard. The trio moves at Hobbit's pace, i.e. 4" per turn. If the guard is killed the Hobbits stay where they are until another Ranger takes the fallen guards place.
The Oliphant. The characteristics for the Olphant is based on thus for Gwaihir. The following modifications apply to the Oliphant: Stregth 6 and Courage 3. The Oliphant is thus stronger than Gwaihir but not as courageous. The Point Value of the Oliphant is 70. The Oliphant can carry one or two archers.
NOTES
If and when the official characteristics for the Oliphant are made available this scenario may need to be modified accordingly.