Tactical discussion: Countering Mumakil - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Neurion · 02-09-2005, 04:44 PM

Considering that the Gondorians have faced the Haradhrim in battle many times before in their history, I'd expect that they would have developed tactics for countering the threat posed by the Mumakil.

How do you think they would have done so?

Kidd2323 · 02-09-2005, 05:24 PM

I suppose one defense against the Mumakil was the walls of the Pelenor.
Didn't Gandalf complain that the Gondorians were overlate in repairing the Peleanor walls?
As big as the Mumakil were, they still couldn't knock down walls. They would have needed Grond for the gates, and the blasting fire of Saruman for the repaired and strengthened stone walls and then the Mumakil could be used inside the walls of the Pelenor to wreak havoc.

Lindolirian · 02-09-2005, 05:25 PM

Other than shouting, "Ware! Ware!" and appealing to the Valar for help, you mean?

According to the History Channel, Hannibal's elephants took fright at the Romans' horses and were much less aggressive in their presence. EDIT: After further research I found that it was actually the other way around, but horses could be trained to withstand elephants in which case the elephants were repelled by the smell of horses. And Wikipedia.com tells me this:

Quote:

A reportedly effective anti-elephant weapon was the pig. Pliny the Elder reported that "elephants are scared by the smallest squeal of a pig" (VIII, 1.27). A siege of Megara was reportedly broken when the Megarians poured oil on a herd of pigs, set them alight, and drove them towards the enemy's massed war elephants. The elephants bolted in terror from the flaming squealing pigs.

But who knows how much spare bacon the Gondorians had to fry up just for their breakfast guests from Harad?

Beleg Cuthalion · 02-09-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindolirian

Other than shouting, "Ware! Ware!" and appealing to the Valar for help, you mean?

According to the History Channel, Hannibal's elephants took fright at the Romans' horses and were much less aggressive in their presence. And Wikipedia.com tells me this: But who knows how much spare bacon the Gondorians had to fry up just for their breakfast guests from Harad?

Cool! LoL!

Kuruharan · 02-09-2005, 06:02 PM

Big caltrops.

Loud trumpets could sometimes scare them too.

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 02-09-2005, 06:12 PM

I think that in Roman times they also used pigs to scare the elephants. Perhaps Gondor had a hidden hog farm reserved in case of Mumak attacks?

Sophia

[edit:] I should probably read links more thoroughly... but I'll leave this post here, just for anyone who, like me, was too lazy to read the Wikipedia article all the way through.

**The Saucepan Man** · 02-09-2005, 08:30 PM

Big mice.

Neurion · 02-10-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindolirian

Other than shouting, "Ware! Ware!" and appealing to the Valar for help, you mean?

According to the History Channel, Hannibal's elephants took fright at the Romans' horses and were much less aggressive in their presence. EDIT: After further research I found that it was actually the other way around, but horses could be trained to withstand elephants in which case the elephants were repelled by the smell of horses. And Wikipedia.com

That reminds me: In their conquest of China, the Mongols would sometimes set elephants on fire and send them towards the Chinese lines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

I think I'll stick to my caltrops and trumpets. They smell much nicer and don't require food.

Caltrops. Hmm. Yeah. Big caltrops.

Kuruharan · 02-10-2005, 06:12 PM

It would work...

Lindolirian · 02-10-2005, 06:33 PM

Yes, but how many resources would be required to build these huge things in bulk (since you must scatter them densely to insure that they are stepped on)? Sounds like a pretty expensive endeavor, so you're welcome to bring it up with Denethor at the next national defense spending committee meeting.

Neurion · 02-10-2005, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindolirian

Yes, but how many resources would be required to build these huge things in bulk (since you must scatter them densely to insure that they are stepped on)? Sounds like a pretty expensive endeavor, so you're welcome to bring it up with Denethor at the next national defense spending committee meeting.

As lord of the elven realm of Harlindon, I pledge the aid of the smiths and weapon-wrights of my folk in this worthy endeavour.

02-09-2005, 04:44 PM	#1
Neurion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Standing amidst the slaughter I have wreaked upon the orcs Posts: 258	Tactical discussion: Countering Mumakil Considering that the Gondorians have faced the Haradhrim in battle many times before in their history, I'd expect that they would have developed tactics for countering the threat posed by the Mumakil. How do you think they would have done so? __________________ ____________________________________ "And a cold voice rang forth from the blade. Yea, I will drink thy blood, that I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly."

02-09-2005, 05:24 PM	#2
Kidd2323 Animated Skeleton Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 44	I suppose one defense against the Mumakil was the walls of the Pelenor. Didn't Gandalf complain that the Gondorians were overlate in repairing the Peleanor walls? As big as the Mumakil were, they still couldn't knock down walls. They would have needed Grond for the gates, and the blasting fire of Saruman for the repaired and strengthened stone walls and then the Mumakil could be used inside the walls of the Pelenor to wreak havoc. __________________ "I wish I could go all the way with you to Rivendell, Mr. Frodo, and see Mr. Bilbo," said Sam. "And yet the only place I really want to be in is here. I am that torn in two." "Poor Sam! It will feel like that, I am afraid. " said Frodo. "But you will be healed. You were meant to be solid and whole, and you will be."

02-09-2005, 06:02 PM	#5
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	Big caltrops. Loud trumpets could sometimes scare them too. __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

02-09-2005, 06:12 PM	#6
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	Interestingly enough I think that in Roman times they also used pigs to scare the elephants. Perhaps Gondor had a hidden hog farm reserved in case of Mumak attacks? Sophia [edit:] I should probably read links more thoroughly... but I'll leave this post here, just for anyone who, like me, was too lazy to read the Wikipedia article all the way through. __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me! Last edited by Sophia the Thunder Mistress; 02-09-2005 at 06:25 PM. Reason: typos, bloody typos

02-09-2005, 08:30 PM	#7
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Big mice. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

02-10-2005, 06:12 PM	#9
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	It would work... __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

02-10-2005, 06:33 PM	#10
Lindolirian World's Tallest Hobbit Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Where the view is long Posts: 2,117	Yes, but how many resources would be required to build these huge things in bulk (since you must scatter them densely to insure that they are stepped on)? Sounds like a pretty expensive endeavor, so you're welcome to bring it up with Denethor at the next national defense spending committee meeting. __________________ 'They say that the One will himself enter into Arda, and heal Men and all the Marring from the beginning to the end."