Siege of Gundabad Discussion Thread

[piosenniel]

CaptainofDespair’s character – the Gondorian Lieutenant

NAME: Uther Kahîr

AGE: By most accounts, he seems to be around 40 years of age.

RACE: Gondorian

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Uther wields the standard of the Army of Gondor, a simple long sword, crafted of the finest steel available to his social standing. Riding north with him, are his two wolf-hound hunting dogs, Ithil and Anor, which he uses as extra bodyguards.

APPEARANCE: As is the custom of soldiers, he wears the uniform armor of the Gondorians he fights for. He wears a steel chainmail cuirass over his torso, fitted with a black surcoat bearing the symbol of the King, the White Tree. He proudly displays a gleaming helm of steel, inlaid with silver, atop his head. His legs and forearms are protected by steel greavse and gauntlets.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Uther is not like most men, nor like most soldiers. He displays some of the greatest traits of a field commander. He always rides forward of his troops, to boost the moral of his men. He is a romantic warrior, fighting on the front lines with the soldiers under his command, hoping to infuse the desire to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.

A passion for war burns hot in his blood however, searing his veins with bloodlust. Cruelty is his standard, and both friends and foes alike fear his almost psychotic battle-field rages. He cares not for the survival of those individuals under his command, and willingly throws them into any fray, no matter what the cost. This has awarded him not only honor in taking many a fortified position, but more so a reputation based on fear and dread.

HISTORY: Uther was born into a small family of Gondorian peasant farmers living in an isolated village on the border of Rhûn. He knew not what year he was born in, and thus only counted the years from when he could remember. His early childhood was quite comfortable, and he lived quite contentedly, accustomed to aiding his father in the fields, and tending to what few livestock his family kept. This pattern of life drifted along on its own terms, for many years.

This all changed in when he entered early adulthood. The Dark Lord’s war machine was gearing up for an invasion, and his emissaries had come to prod the Easterlings into assaulting Gondor and her allies. Many of his village’s residents did not wish to take part in a war that they cared not for. Yet Mordor is not easily swayed by the protests of a few paltry farmers and herders. Two months after the village chieftain refused to send his men to war, Orcs came in the night, and they descended upon the village, like carrion birds, and they made an example of the village chieftain. When the morning light arose, the village found its leader dead, with a crude symbol of The Eye carved into his flesh, a warning of what was to come with further insolence. When the Dark Lord’s emissaries returned again, there came no protests, and the men of the village, including Uther’s father, were dragged off to be equipped for war.

For many years, Uther managed the farm with the aid of his mother. Yet, memory does not often fade into oblivion with the passage of time, and the memory of his father lingered. He had not returned from the war that Mordor had waged, no message of his death, yet no signs to prove otherwise. Hate began to grow in his heart, a passionate hatred for Mordor, for Orcs, for any who served The Great Eye. And so, Uther left his home, leaving his mother to care for the family property, and he went West, to Gondor.

The journey to Minas Tirith was taxing, for the road was long, and it reeked with many dangers. But finally, after two months of lonely traveling, at near starvation, the young Uther entered the White City. There, he joined the Guard, and went to fight in The King’s campaigns against the Haradrim, who were still in sustained period of rebellion in the Deep South of Harad. It was in these hot desert lands, that he learned of the cruelty of men, and how it could be used to his advantage. Thus, he adopted the ways of the Haradrim, incorporating their cruel ways into his own, unique fighting style. For many years these campaigns continued, and with each, he found himself attaining a higher, more socially elite rank. At the end of these relatively bloodless campaigns, he had reached a plateau, and settled into a minor administrative position as lieutenant in the Gondorian Army.

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CaptainofDespair’s post ---- FIRST FOR GAME

The wretched cold of the North had harried the small outfit of Gondorian soldiers for many weeks, as they marched through exhaustion to Esgaroth, the last way point for the army, as it prepared to make for Mount Gundabad, last of the major Orc strongholds in the north. Supplies had begun to dwindle, and the soldiers began to hope to arrive in the Dale soon, to replenish what they could before their confrontation. Yet, it was not food and water that the troops hungered for most, it was woolen cloth, and fur, to give them much needed warmth, so that they could fight, and not become mere statues in an endless waste of snow and ice.

This host’s commander was a brutally effective combat leader. With many of Gondor’s more able northern commanders unavailable due to the winter storms that were common in the barrens that formed during the blight of winter, Uther was summoned by King Elessar to remove the Orc threat of Gundabad. He was given a mandate; return to Gondor with an alliance, no matter how tenuous, or return with the head of the Orc chieftain. The aging Easterner knew better, for he had many dealings with the Orcs in the past. They would never submit to the strict stipulations of the King. Yet, on his honor, he was forced to at least offer the terms to his enemies, in hopes of them accepting them. His only real option, was to attempt to defeat the Orcs, on their ground. He did not like this, but he knew it must be done.

The actual size of the force that was put under Uther’s command was quite small, and was not wholly equipped to a siege of a mountain fortress. He had only managed to gather enough equipment to construct either a single battering ram, or build two or three light anti-personnel ballistas. With only sixty-five soldiers under his command, and countless orcs holding the well fortified, and easily defendable Mt. Gundabad, the prospects of a direct assault were slimmed to almost nothing. And to counteract any plans of his, the supply line had been thinned to nothing. He would get no reinforcements. His last bastion of hope was Esgaroth, where his army was now camping. Hopefully, with a little monetary incentive, he could obtain enough supplies to last a few extra weeks, should the siege drag on that long.

The troops under his command, though embattled by the elements, and beleaguered by the fear of both the stout Orcs they would face, and of their commander, remained surprisingly hopeful that at least a sizeable number of them would survive. Their hastily constructed camp was enough to hold off the brunt of the winter chill for now, but it was not suitable for the comfortable living many of them were accustomed to back home in Gondor.

Yet, with all the climatic hardships that were now set upon the Gondorians, they persisted. Uther had always been a driven, single-minded man when it came to war, and so he brushed aside the chill conditions, and prepared himself to face his enemy. His mind was set upon victory, and he was numb to the price he might pay to achieve that goal. But for now, he was content to plan his assault upon the battlements of Gundabad.

The aging commander had laid out a multitude of rudimentary maps, siege warfare doctrine papers, scout reports, and numerous other reports gathered from locals who had experienced either the Orc threat, or the terrain near the Mountain. He sat alone in a hastily constructed field command tent, with only his two hounds for companionship. But this was the way he preferred it. He did not always enjoy the company of his men, for many were brutes, or of the poor peasant class, and he did not wish to indulge their high hopes that war brought all men closer, no matter where they came from. But he was one of them, and that is what frightened him most, that he had risen through the ranks from that distant past, to a higher standing. His past was a burden to him, and he kept it to himself as much as possible. Thus, he kept to himself, so as not to reveal such matters to those who should not be privy to such knowledge. He had been like this ever since he came to Gondor, and joined the army. And now he only continued his lie of a life, pretending to be something he wasn’t, for the sake of vanity. And now he was yet again and scheming away, cooped up in his tent like a hermit.

[piosenniel]

Game Outline:

Day 1: Beginning posts within camp/set out for Dale

Day 2: Gondorian host reaches Dale, comes across a burned out village

Day 3: Host comes across fleeing Men of Dale

Day 4: Host attacked by Orc Raiders (raiders will either be killed entirely, or remnants may retreat to Gundabad)

Day 5,6: March to Gundabad, Goblin relief force nears the Mountain from the West.

Day 7: Arrive at Gundabad, set camp.

Day 8: Parley with Orc Chieftain, Scouts locate Goblin host.

Day 9: Gondorian camp attacked by Goblin relief force.

Day 10: The assault on the battlements, final stand of orcs.

[piosenniel]

Please use this form for creating your character to post on the discussion thread.

1.) It is a requirement that all potential game players in the Shire will have posted in The Green Dragon Inn or have played to completion an RPG on the Barrow Downs.

2.) Those who have not played before in a Shire RPG will be given preference. Final preference, though, will be at the discretion of the Game Owner.

_______________________________________


Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? – YES/NO - Which one?

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?

List them, please:

Please note you may play in only 2 (TWO) Shire games at one time. Exceptions to this may be made for this on a case by case basis by the Shire Moderators. (The Green Dragon Inn DOES NOT count as a game for this.)


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES/NO
_______________________________________

For your character please include:

NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

GENDER:

WEAPONS (No magical, super-hero, mithril weapons. Just good solid Middle-earth weapons and armor only that is appropriate to the race of the character and the time period.):

APPEARANCE:

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: (No half-Elven characters. No mixed-type characters. No super-heroes. No assassins. No one all powerful, martial arts proficient, or having any magical traits. Just regular characters with normal abilities for their races only):

HISTORY:

__________________________________


First post:


This is a requirement for this game. Character Descriptions without a First Post attached will be sent back to the writer. They may be submitted again, once there is a First Post to go with them.

[piosenniel]

CHARACTERS NEEDED:

2 Gondorian soldiers, male only:

First posts: These characters first posts should deal with their march north from Gondor, and their feelings of the mission, considering climate, supplies, etc.

• 1.) Soldier of Gondor
  
• 2.) Soldier of Gondor

~*~

3 Men of Dale, male and female: These men/women will be met as the troop of Gondorians marches towards Gundabad.

First posts: These characters first posts can detail their escape from orc raiding parties that have been ransacking Dale.

• 1) Man of Dale
  
• 2) Man of Dale
  
• 3) Man of Dale

~*~

Secondary Characters:

• 1) Orc Chieftain of Gundabad- will control the host of orcs that have ‘dug in’ to defend Gundabad.
  
  
• 2) Goblin Commander of the Misty Mountains- will control the relief force that arrives to aid the embattled Orcs on Gundabad.
  
  
• 3) Orc Guard of Gundabad
  
  
• 4) Orc Raider Commander- commands the troop of orcs that are roaming the Dale.

[piosenniel]

The Discussion Thread is now open to take on players.

[piosenniel]

Please Note:

Each Character Description submitted MUST be accompanied by a First Post for the character, or they will be returned.

[Beserker_Warrior]

1.) NO

2.)0

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn – YES/NO
_______________________________________

NAME: Snagar

AGE: 500

RACE: Orc

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS Sword(steel), dagger, typical orkish shield, steel armor
APPEARANCE:5' 6", stands tall, muscular

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: strong, wise(for an orc), fast but qauils under sunlight

HISTORY: Snagar was born in the hills of Gundabad and he made his way to the top by being cruel, stabbing people in the back and by having an iron fist.

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Beserker_Warrior's post

Snagar stood on the hill above the trench. He could smell men on their way here. His soldiers would be ready, they were below in the trenches, waiting. His men would feast on manflesh soon. He was their leader, the one that they trusted but feared, he would keep them in line and reward them with fresh meat.

Snagar turned and walked down to the trench. "You and you ,up to the hill you maggots!" Snagar needed to keep lookouts on the hill to watch for any one who might be headed in this direction. They went without complaint or any sign of unwillingness, to have done so would have been death. Inwardly Snagar smiled, his force was the one who would have all the spoils and all the glory and a realm of their own. Snagar could even be called the king. That was what he really wanted, anything that he could get for himself, as is the nature of all orcs. Snagar remembered the days of living in the hills before and after Sauron was defeated, he and his tribe had been an advance guard for Mordor, but nothing had ever happened until the defeat of the Great Eye and the Wraiths.

[Boromir88]

Character Description Form:

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs?
Yes, Ungoliant's Children.

2.) How many RPG’s on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in?
One, Ungoliant's Children.

3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn
Yes.

CHARACTER:

Name: Sjorging Hard-Heart.

Age: 62

Race: Man of Dale

Gender: Male

Weapons: A great-hilted Longsword and an Ash hunting knife.

Appearance: Tall, good build. Wears a Sturdy leather jerkin and underneath a ringmail cuirass, along with leather leggings and boots.

Personality: Proven in battle and a loyal soldier. Trustworthy, but his nickname "Hard-heart" has been given, since he truly has a hard heart. He is one who doesn't give respect, if you don't give it back, and it's very hard to earn Sjorging's respect at times. However, he is a trusty companion, if you are one lucky enough to have his respect. Sjorging also trusts the Dwarves of Erebor, for as he believes, they have proven themselves to stand tall in the face of Evil.

History: Son of Bergon and knows the taste of battle. He is willing to join in any fray, whether it concerns him or not. He fought under King Brand, when Sauron's army laid siege to Erebor. His real name is Sjorging, but has been given the nickname "Hard-Heart," since he isn't one to get emotional, and rarely trusts anyone he doesn't know. He listens to no one except King Bard II, or the officers above him, and despises the sight of orcs, his only glory in seeing an orc is seeing a dead one. Sjorging was greatly saddened when he witnessed the fall of King Brand and King Dain, pledging to never die until all orcs, or evil men alike, had been destroyed.

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Boromir88's post

It's a soundless night, the fire is blazing outside the tent Sjorging has pitched, on the outskirts of the settlement ahead. He sits on a log, staring into the roaring fire, remembering, thinking of the situation at hand. His home in Dale, along with the rest of the town, had been overrun by marauding orcs. They were greatly outnumbered and had no choice, but to flee. He has gathered a few of his trusty companions to discuss what had just happened two nights ago, and what will happen.

"We don't have enough men here to make a suitable defense for these raiding orcs," says a tall, bearded man opposite of Sjorging. His name was Gelding. Gelding and Sjorging go back a long way, they had fought side-by-side against Sauron's forces.

'I thought this evil had been defeated a long time ago, they have said Sauron was defeated, and this new King Elessar was restoring order?" states another man sitting next to Gelding, he was Beluf, a member of the town that was overrun some two nights ago.

"Nay," says Sjorging, "Sauron has been defeated, but we are still a long way away from peace and order. There are still orcs occupying Gundabad, has anyone sent word to King Bard?"

"Yes," answers Beluf, "but we are greatly weakened by the war. I fear we are too weak, and Bard doesn't have enough men to come to aid."

"Our scouts report that King Elessar has sent out a force from Gondor to dispose the orcs of Gundabad for good." says Gelding. "But, we don't know when they'll arrive."

"Probably won't arrive in time at all." spouts Sjorging. Word had spread of King Elessar's greatness, and of the coming times of peace. But, Sjorging was doubtful with this recent threat of orcs raiding Dale. To him, he wasn't convinced until he saw the Gondor force himself. Until that time Sjorging, and his companions would fight on.