Battle Companies: Rescue - Mordor vs Durin's Folk

Following the disastrous battle with the troll, Bifin, Filur and Kilur find themselves separated from their fellows while trying to regroup.

To their consternation, the Fists of the Eye suddenly appear before them, with their own company nowhere to be found. The dwarves brace themselves, and hope they can hold out long enough for help to arrive.

Turn 1 - Evil

The evil company charges forward, but comes up slightly short of being able to curtail the dwarves flight.

Taking the opportunity, Bifin and his fellows fall back to the north as quickly as their stubby legs can carry them. Auzath, Guldursh and Murog fire their bows, but no hits are scored.

With the end of the turn, Bifin's spirits rise with the arrival of Squalin and the other members of the company.

Turn 2 - Good

The dwarves get Priority this turn, and the two groups rush to reunite. Bofin and Twiggy advance slowly, keeping their bows ready.

The orcs continue their advance. Auzath makes a full move and crouches in the lee of a large pair of upthrust stones. Guldursh and Murog find the range and score hits with their bows, but the dwarves armor protects them.

Turn 3 - Good

The dwarves keep priority this turn, and create a convex formation with the two archers on the wings.

The orcs keep up their advance and narrow the gap between the two forces.

Twiggy draws first blood of the match, and fells Krugac with a well aimed arrow.

Turn 4 - Evil

Here is the board at the beginning of the turn.

The Fists gain Priority this turn, but Squalin declares a Heroic Move and the dwarves fall back slightly and straighten out their line.

The orcs complete their charge, and the lines clash. The orc bowmen continue to advance up the flanks, Guldursh and Murog moving along the shore of a small pond.

The two Lieutenants meet, Gracbaush and Squalin coming face to face across the battle lines.

Unfortunately for evil, the fighting goes against them this turn. Gracbaush drives back Squalin, but his pick skates off the thick armor. Bifin sends Uthragh to the ground after a stout blow. Auzbog fails his Fate check, and is felled by Kilur. Ogzit is also defeated, but he is able to pass his Fate check and shrug off the wound.

Turn 5 - Evil

Evil gets Priority this turn, and the lines clash back together.

Twiggy draws back his bowstring and releases an arrow in one smooth motion. The shaft finds its mark, and Auzath drops.

Bifin slams his bow down onto Bolgash's head, and the orc drops like a felled tree. Gracbaush expends his Might point to defeat Filur, but the dwarf's armor keeps him from harm.

Turn 6 - Good

Priority switches to the good company this turn, but Duri's nerve fails and he is unable to charge Zorzagar. Kilur summons the necessary courage and engages the Black Numenorean. Squalin throws an axe at Gracbaush as he charges, but fails to do damage.

Bifin spends a Might point and defeats Murog, but his blow fails to damage. Filur has more luck, and Ogzit falls to the ground. At the conclusion of the turn, the evil company is now Broken!

Turn 7 - Evil

The evil company has Priority this turn and Gracbaush, Shuglogh, Guldursh, and Murog waste no time in fleeing for safety. Zorzagar is the only member of the company left to face the wrath of the dwarves. Bifin declares a Heroic Move, and uses the opportunity to move away. Gritting his decaying teeth, Zorzagar charges Twiggy.

The remainder of the dwarves pass their courage checks, and surround the black robed warrior.

In fairly predictable fashion, Zorzagar is driven to the ground beneath a rain of blows and the match comes to an end.

Aftermath

Only the evi; company must roll for wound recovery, and it is a slightly mixed bag. Ogzit receives Just a Scratch, but re-rolls and makes a Full Recovery. Auzbog receives an Old Battle Wound, and Uthragh and Krugac both are Injured and must sit out the next battle. Bolgash, Auzath and Zorzagar all make Full Recoveries.

Duri and Filur both roll on their advancement charts, but there is no effect. Both Bifin and Ogzit each gain a point of Might, and Uthragh receives a Hero in the Making result. Shuglogh rolls, but receives No Effect.

The dwarves hold onto their Influence points this time, but the Fists expend four points to receive Barsh, an Orc bearing a two-handed weapon.

I was a bit disappointed in the results of this one. I had hoped I could at least delay the hero's escape and maybe cause a casualty or two before the rescue part arrived, but it was not to be. The dwarves continue their trend of outlasting my orcs, and I'm thinking I really need to invest in something to give their courage a bit of a boost...