The Grey Pilgrim and the Black Riders

October 3, 3018 Returning from Orthanc, Gandalf rides like the wind. He makes for Weathertop, and alas, finds the Ringwraiths waiting for him. By daylight they are content to imprison the wizard within the crumbling walls, yet as darkness falls the Nazgul move to destroy Gandalf.

Layout
The battle takes place at Weathertop, the ruined watch tower. The floor is strewn with rubble.
Forces
The good side is made up of Gandalf, carrying his staff, his sword, Glamdring, and the ring Narya.
The evil side is made up of 8 Nazgul and the Witch-king, all carrying wicked swords.
Deployment
Gandalf starts in the center of Weathertop.
Two Ringwraiths are positioned at the edge of the ring. The Witch-king and the remaining Ringwraiths are kept in reserve.
Objectives
The good side wins if Gandalf survives and at least four Ringwraiths are slain. The evil side wins if Gandalf is slain.

The Nazgul stalked into the ruins and attacked Gandalf. The wizard was able to fight them off, using the bright light emanating from his staff to keep them back. Those he was not able to kill he was able to push back with blasts of magical energy. Two wraiths were slain before the Witch-king himself arrived. After a short fight he was slain by Gandfalf. Felling drained, Gandalf took two wounds before he was able to finally kill one more Ringwraith, winning the battle.

The wraiths who had been slain or driven off regrouped, while Gandalf rode with all speed away from the ruin, drawing the surviving Nazgul out after him.

Warriors of Middle-earth: Gandalf the Grey

Of the Order of Wizards, Gandalf the Grey is second only to Saruman the White in power. It is Gandalf who leads the Fellowship until his loss in Moria at the hands of the fearsome Balrog. Gandalf's magical abilities are a great asset to the Fellowship though he is also able to hold his own in a fight.

Ancient and weathered, Gandalf has wandered the roads of Middle-earth for centuries in his dusty robes.

Warriors of Middle-earth: Aragorn

Aragorn, also known as Strider, is a descendant of Elendil and the last heir to the throne of Gondor. His rough and weather-hewn appearance speaks of a hard life spent battling evil in wild places. Aragorn becomes the protector of the Hobbits and the greatest of the heroes of the Fellowship. His fate and and that of the Ringbearer are inexorably bound together with the fate of Middle-earth itself.

Before rising to claim his crown in Gondor, Aragorn spent his life in the wilds as a Ranger.

Fog on the Barrow-Downs

September 28, 3018 The hobbit find themselves in the house of Tom Bombadil. Taking their leave of him, they traverse the Barrow-downs, but soon a pale chill mist falls, and the hobbits lose their way. Will the hobbits learn of their danger before they are found by the barrow-wights who wish to slay them?

Layout

The map is of the battle field looking north.
Forces
The good side is made up of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, each carrying a sturdy blade, and Tom Bombadil, unarmed.
The evil side is made up of 4 barrow-wights, each with heavy armor and carrying a blade of great age and exceptional craftmanship.
Deployment
The hobbits are placed across the center of the battlefield. Tom Bombadil enters from the western edge later.
The barrow-wights are deployed each in contact with one of the barrows.
Objectives
The evil player wins if two hobbits are slain or Frodo is slain. The good side wins if three hobbits escape the east edge of the battlefield.

The hobbits blundered about in the fog, trying to find the way out of the Barrow Downs. Frodo went in the entirely wrong direction, while purely by luck the others went the right way. The wights soon jumped into action, attacking Frodo and Sam. Merry and Pippin were paralyzed. Frodo and Sam fought off their attackers. The wights seized the stunned hobbits, but Sam was able to successfully sing out for Tom Bombadil's help, and soon he arrived from the west. Frodo and Sam continued to fend off the wights. Tom Bombadil was able to free Pippin from the wight's spell. Sam was finally able to escape the Barrow Downs. A wight tried to paralyse Frodo, but Tom's magic was stronger! The wight carrying Merry had finally reached its barrow and began trying to sacrifice him. Tom soon came to the hobbits rescue, and Merry sprang back out into the sunlight. Tom Bombadil was then able to successfully banish the wights attacking Frodo, Merry, and Pippin, allowing them to escpae.

Thanks to Tom Bombadil, the hobbits had evaded the clutches of the barrow-wights and could make their way on to Bree.

Wildlife of Middle-earth

Kiwi

Small birds found in Mirkwood. Kept by Mirkwood elves as pets for their ability to eat grubs and small insects.


Weta


Large insects that live in mountains - even those bordering the Land of Shadow itself. Can hibernate through cold weather by going into a state of torpor. Deemed a delicacy by goblins and orcs.
 


Moa


A large, rare bird found deep in Mirkwood. Attempts to tame by both orcs and elves inconclusive.


Kakapo


Shy and rare bird found in all forests. Can communicate over huge distances and are fond of making their nests in Elven trees or (in Fangorn) on ents.


Kea


Curious and intelligent birds that will make off with bits of man- elf- orc- or dwarf-made material, even going so far as to dismantle armor and buildings. Will attack livestock. Found across Middle-earth.


Tuatara


Ancient lizards, are found in areas where forests are common, but not thick, such as the Shire and Ithilien.


Giant Eagles


Called Haast's eagle by the people of the lands between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains, these large eagles answer only to the Valar and feed upon all large wildlife, but especially moas.

Warriors of Middle-earth: Tom Bombadil and Goldberry

Tom Bombadil is a mysterious being that lives in a small cottage past the edge of the Old Forest. Tom's appearance is that of a plump, jolly, little man, always intent on singing nonsensical songs and picking flowers for his beloved Goldberry. Tom seems interested in very little else, but he will never deny his help to travellers in danger, as Frodo and his friends soon find out. Beyond Tom's innocent look is hidden a being of immense power, to to whom all living creatures and even inanimate matter must obey to the letter. Even the Ring has no influence upon him, and the only limit to Tom's powers seem to be his resolution never to cross the borders of his small land, a limit that Tom has imposed upon himself.

O slender as a wollow wand! O clearer then clear water!
O reed by the living pool! Fair River-Daughter!

A mysterious creature that lives with Tom Bobadil, Goldberry is abeautiful female spirit. She seems to personify the life-giving and soothing powers of the clearest and purest of waters.

With two characters a unique as Tom Bobadil and Goldberry, it's worth taking the extra time to read up on them.

Warriors of Middle-earth: Barrow-wights

After the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and the Fall of Sauron, the Witch-king fled to the North and there built the kingdom of Angmar. He sent dark spirits south to the Barrow-downs and the skeletal forms of the long-dead rulers walked once more, bedecked with gold and carrying dark blades, their actions directed by the dread will of Sauron's cheif servant. In time, the Witch-king was defeated and his kingdom of Angmar destroyed, but the Barrow-wights remain within their tombs, luring the unwary to their doom.

In many ways, the Barrow-wights are a lot like the Ringwraiths. The main difference is that the Ringwraiths wear heavy, dusty black chlothing, while the Barrow-wights are pale, luminous phantoms.