LoTR - Ferry Across the Brandywine AAR (No pics, Sorry!)

Sorry chaps, no pics as we spent most of the time reminding ourselves of the rules (and my Hobbits were wearing their very best metal suits!).

So we’ve finally returned to LoTR SBG after a bit of a hiatus. Its been quite nice to dig out all the models and get a feel for it again, it helps that when drafting documents at work I listen to the LoTR Trilogy Soundtracks on repeat.

Well how did it go - hilarious and quite brutal really. The three Hobbits are in sight of the ferry across the Brandywine with only a single Ringwraith barring their way. But no whats this, two more wraiths advancing up the road behind them, what do they do. And herein lies the problem, I’m using the Return of the King rulebook, Chris (my cheerful Victorian throwback opponent) the Hobbit rules and we’re playing a scenario from the Fellowship Journeybook that was published for the “One” rulebook. So the first problem was the “Sentries” rule which doesn’t appear in either rulebook. Hmmm how to get round this, ignore it and just start rolling dice.

So that’s what we did. I deployed the hobbits in a line 12” onto the board. Roughly 8” away was a line of woodland 3” thick and a slight hill. Beyond that was a bit of open ground and then the river and ferry where the Ringwraith lurked.

Obviously I got priority in the first turn because Hobbits are good (aren’t they?). So with all the aplomb of a day at the fair Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin advanced straight forward towards the treeline. Then Chris moved his two other Ringwraiths up behind them from my board edge and the game was afoot.

Turn two saw me winning priority again and now the Hobbits realising their peril, angled towards the west a little and into the woods where Sam badgered “Mr Frodo” whilst taking the opportunity to cook up some nice juicy sausages!.

The wraith near the river shimmied across to face them on the other side of the wood, ignoring Merry and Pippin who were making straight toward the ferry, it would appear that they’d seen the two menacing shadows coming up behind.

Turn three saw more stumbling through the treeline (with those feet you’d think they’d be good at getting through undergrowth!), Merry and Pippin moving to menace the lone wraith on the far side of the woods (as much as two capering fools can menace the undead shade of a great king of men!).

It was now that Chris decided to use the Ringwraiths magic, chucking nasty rubber darts, err I mean mystical balls of energy at Frodo. Wow that was rubbish, no damage whatsoever, it would seem that Frodo isn’t a wuss after all.

Turn four and I didn’t get priority. Argh, that means the lone wraith can attack Frodo - HEROIC MOVE. As the other Hobbits were within 6” I legged them as fast as their short legs could carry them out of the woods and towards the ferry while Sam made a brave dash into combat with the lone Ringwraith (I needed to tie him up to allow Frodo to get away). Luckily in this scenario the Ringwraiths start off with no Might, 8 Will and no Fate so they are actually quite fragile and can’t call their own heroic actions. Also they lose Will for every mystical power or combat they fight so I was trying to keep track of what each wraith was doing.

Ok time for fisticuffs, Sam tried to dodge the blows of the cloaked figure but to no avail, luckily Fate intervened and the sword passed through his cloak, missing him entirely (at the cost of a Fate point).

Turn 5 and I gain initiative moving Frodo onto the Ferry, and moving Sam, Pippin and Merry to block the advance of the wraiths. However this was a rookie move as Chris moved a wraith into combat with Sam and Merry, thus removing their control zones, allowing the last one to move between them and menace Frodo and Pippin. If I didn’t get initiative next turn there would be a scary fight on the Ferry.

The combats began with Sam getting clobbered and falling to the evil servant of Sauron. Cries of “SAM” from Frodo and Pippin could not avert the catastrophe, if they survived this encounter the journey to Mordor would now be without the stalwart gardener.

However Merry, exhibiting the courage that would later result in him being made an “Esquire of Rohan”, dodged his assailant and landed a blow on the fell creature, unfortunately causing only a tear in the fabric of its robes.

Turn 6 and I lost intiative, disaster strikes, my opponent Chris grins wickedly, rubbing his hands with glee. Until of course I use up another Might point and call a Heroic Move. Hah! take that servants of Sauron as Pippin leaps aboard the Ferry and Frodo launches the rickety thing into the current. Pippin turns with a cry of “Merry” to see him beset by three Ringwraiths as they are pulled further from shore.

So, surely this is the end for the poor Brandybuck! But no, all three wraiths beat the stalwart Hobbit pushing him back against the banks of the Brandywine however when it comes to the all important hit they fluff it, rolling three 1’s.

Turn 7 and I win the initiative, Merry dives into the rushing water and swims for his life, the wraiths hurl mystical darts but can’t seem to beat Frodo’s indomitable will and we call the game there.

So possibly the most vital member of the Fellowship has fallen before the quest has even begun, is this the beginning of the end for Frodo and co?

Nahhh, as we had so much fun we’re going to go back and play out as much of the Journeybook as we can, I’m painting up my Hobbits this weekend so in a couple of weeks we can have a game that warrants photo’s.

I have to say thanks to Robert at http://slumminingoblintown.blogspot.com/ and Scott at http://scottswargaming.blogspot.co.uk/ for inspiring and reviving my interest. Now I just have to get the figs through my painting queue. I’ve to sort out my Saxons for Scrivs WAB Age of Arthur day in March so no pressure really!!!