Scenario 7: The Fall of Khazad-Dum

As the Third Age went on, each race in various parts of Middle Earth encountered their own issues.
The Dwarven Kingdom of Khazad-Dum mined for one of the most precious materials Mithril, however as they delved further and further they encountered a fell creature from the First Age, a Balrog. As this beast stirred, the goblins hidden in the cave came to and flocked to it and engaged the Dwarves. Durin lead his folk to take on this beast or die trying, this would be the end, of either the Balrog or himself.

Forces of Good:

Durin, King of Khazad-Dum

Mardin
Dwarf Captain with shield

12x Hearthguard
12x Iron Guard
6x Vault Warden teams
24x Dwarf Warrior (14x Shield, 10x Bow)
Dwarf Ballista

Forces of Evil:

The Balrog
Goblin Captain with shield
Moria Goblin Shaman
Moria Blackshield Captain
12x Moria Blackshields
12x Moria Goblin Prowlers
36x Moria Goblin Warriors (12x Shield, 12x Spear, 12x Orc Bow) 
Moria Goblin Drum

3x Cave Trolls (2x Hammer, 1x Spear)

Additionally, the following rules are in play:

• Roll a dice for each previously slain Goblin warrior at the end of each Evil move phase. For each 5+ they return touching the central chasm.
• All Dwarf hero models reroll wound rolls.

The Scenario ends on either of the following victory conditions:

• The Balrog is slain for a forces Good victory!
• All Dwarf models are slain for a forces of Evil victory!

Deployment

The Dwarves knowing they were outnumbered and would be unable to hold if surrounded decided the bridges over the far reaching chasm would be their best place to hold and funnel the oncoming goblin horde.

Upon the Balrog entering the great chasm the goblins were ready to crash into the Dwarf line.

They are Coming

The Balrog arrived, the drums started and the Goblins advance began. The Goblins and Trolls moved across the bridges into the oncoming Dwarven Bow fire in with the three Trolls at the forefront of each of their respective bridges. The Dwarves meanwhile held their lines, the Vault Warden teams being at the front of their sides of the bridge knowing they could best block whatever came their way.
The first arrow volleys of each side let lose. The Dwarf bows were able to injure two of the oncoming trolls while the Ballista was able to throw one goblin into the chasm, taking down three its friends along with it. The returning Goblin fire, firing into whatever they could see first was able to take out a single Iron Guard.

Following the volleys from both sides the Trolls and Goblins were able to engage on four of the 5 bridges. The sound of the Drums also rallied more Goblins to battle as the first of many climbed out of the chasm into the Dwarven line. The Dwarves meanwhile held firm taking a defensive stance on each bridge and engaged the Trolls. Some of their number were to afraid but there were plenty of steadfast Dwarves ready to plug the gaps. 

Another volley of bow fire from both sides went out, this time aided by throwing daggers and axes as the lines grew closer. The Dwarves however seemed unnerved by the closer Goblin presence drumming and were only able to takeout a single Goblin. In response another Iron Guard was taken out in the returning fire.
Then combat ensued, the Trolls at the head of the combats engaged Vault Warden teams and supporting warriors on each bridge. The Trolls on the central and northern bridges showed off why they were feared creatures and sent in at the front of the line, scoring several kills and starting to punch a hole. However the southern bridge Troll was felled by several Vault Wardens, they themselves showing why their weapons are designed to take out monsters such as this. From a brief engagement three Goblins and a Troll were take out at the cost of two more Iron Guard and a warrior.  

Drums in the Deep

Evil press their advantage with the Trolls pushing deeper into the Dwarven line from the gaps they created, the Goblins press their advantage as well, engaging in any gap that appears for them to jump into the fray, even an the cost of blocking or trapping their allies. Three more goblins also arrive from the chasm to join the fight, appearing in the Dwarf line causing havoc.
The Dwarves however capitalise on the breakthrough the Trolls have made as both Durin and Mardin engage the remaining Trolls on the bridges. A lone brave Dwarf also pushed around the central troll to single-handedly hold back several Goblins that were blocking the Balrog.

Both sides let off their arrow and throwing weapon volleys again with the only casualties being on the Goblin side with three being taken out by the Ballista and a single Goblin warrior who was taken out by his own inaccurate archers.
Then another round of combat ensued and both Durin and Mardin were up to the task each eliminating a Troll and keeping those two bridges held. The lone Dwarf holding the central bridge was also able to push the goblins back. Both the northern bridges also held well but the southern most one began to fall as a further two Vault Warden shields were slain. The hatred the Blackshield goblins had of the Dwarves playing a key part in their ability to push in. A great round for the Dwarves though, the last two trolls taken out alongside five Goblins at the cost of two of their own. 

The Dwarves regroup and reposition at each bridge to better form their defensive positions to continue to limit the Goblin numbers, Mardin moved back to his King on the central bridge as the Balrog will soon arrive. However, the defence on southern bridge started to struggle as more and more Goblins climbing up the chasm arrived there and were able to pull the line apart. To make it worse a further five goblins arrived there ready and eager. 

Another round of shooting covered the movement with five goblins being taken out from the bow fire and ballista shot. In response the Balrog was close enough to latch on and pulled a single Dwarf warrior into combat with his whip.

The Dwarves held well again but the southern bridge again took most of the loses. Eight Goblins were slain at the cost of four Dwarves. half being of the southern bridge defence. And key for the Goblins and Balrog to push in, the pesky Dwarf holding the middle bridge was taken out. 

Holding the Line

The Dwarven lines are pushed off of each bridge but they still held the a defensive line still limiting the Goblin numbers. However the southern most bridge was buckling under pressure from the Goblin advance and the additional ones that climbed out of the chasm of which an additional seven had joined the fray. Meanwhile on the centre bridge the Balrog was free to move up so Durin rallied his folk to prepare to engage the demon.

Both sides engaged again on every bridge. Durin focused his attention on the Goblins, directing his Vault Warden team to try and hold up the Balrog while they cleared out the remaining creatures from the central bridge. It was a brutal round of combat with the Balrog easily taking out the Dwarves sent against him and further pushing into the central line. 

Meanwhile the northern and southern bridges also were heavily engaged in combat, the Goblins trying to make any gaps they could to further pressure with their larger numbers and the Dwarves trying to ensure their line held as much as possible. Fourteen Goblins lay slain, the Dwarves showing they would not fall easily despite the additional pressure and reinforcements while five Dwarves fell in return, the Balrog playing a key part.

The Dwarves realised the southern most bridge was on the cusp of falling and the defenders being overrun so they started the retreat to the centre bridge rather than stay and be cut down one by one. Falling back in good order to prevent the other southern and central bridge defenders from being surrounded and giving more time for Durin to try and take out the Balrog. The Goblins however seeing they have taken the southern most bridge press their advantage and focus on the northern bridges where they are being held back with a further eleven Goblins arriving and pressuring both northern bridges. 

Durin still focused his attention on the last few Goblins, sending another set of brave warriors to engage the Balrog knowing they are only sent to buy him some time. Another fierce round of combat ensued with a further eight Goblins being killed for four more Dwarves. This was the first time more goblins had joined the fight than were killed and the Dwarves could tell as the pressure was being forced all over their lines. Anywhere there was a gap from the chasm Goblins would spawn. To make matters worse, the Balrog had cleared its route through to Durin and their battle would now occur.

They Have Taken the Bridges

The Goblins and Balrog press their advance with the Balrog making it into Durin and the Goblins now having full control over both of the southern bridges. The Dwarves rally to support their King and Mardin and additional warriors join the fight and support. Durin steps up and strikes against his foe ready to show all his Dwarven might but is bested by the demon. However his Mithril Armor shows why it is used preventing Durin from even suffering a graze from the Balrogs attacks.

The other bridges however faired far worse for the Dwarves, although they are able to slay seven Goblins they lose seven of their own in recompense. Being pressed back and more Goblins appearing any time there was a gap in their lines meant any defensive position they further created was for naught as they were slowly getting enveloped and picked off one by one. 

The Dwarves picked themselves up and Durin took his men into the Balrog while any remaining nearby Dwarf was directed to either help him or create a defensive line around him so no Goblins could interrupt the combat and block off positions for the new seven goblins to interfere. More and more Dwarves arrived from the northern and southern bridges to help with this. It was however time for the Goblin Shaman to make its appearance. Seeing the Dwarf King focused on his master he attempted to Transfix the King but failed to generate enough power to do so and Durin shrugged it off. 

Durin again strikes up against the Balrog fighting for his and his Kins life but is again outclassed by this creature from the First Age. The Balrog focused its attention on Durin but fails to injure the King again, the Crown of Kings Durin wore flashing to life preventing all the attacks the Balrog threw his way. (Three 6's preventing all the attacks.) 
In the other combats around the Great Hall both sides only lost two of their number, further swinging the advantage to Goblins favour as they were further and further outnumbered the Dwarves. 

Defence of the King

The Dwarves only focus now was to ensure the Balrog was killed, hoping that it falling would frighten the Goblins away. Knowing in a battle of attrition know they would lose due to the numbers of the Goblins and that they had been encircled. Durin charged in again along with some trusty bodyguards and Mardin in another attempt to wound the creature. The Shaman however tried its luck again and successfully transfixed Durin, limiting his ability to combat the Balrog this turn. A further seven Goblins arrived to pressure the remaining defenders.

Combats engaged all around the central bridge, the Balrog was finally able to inflict a single wound on Durin thanks to the Goblin Shaman assisting, however his fate let him avoid it, and further solidified its movement off of the bridge into the centre hall. On the other sides of this combat the Goblins and Dwarves engaged in fierce combat again with eight Dwarves falling to take out only three Goblins. The Blackshield Captain being key in taking out several Dwarves. 

The Balrog charged Durin again while the Goblins further engage and surround the last defensive line around their King. Most of the Goblins coming are from the southern side where there are scattered combats ongoing from remaining trapped Dwarves shielding for their lives. Another few Goblins arrive from the chasm. The Dwarves charged into the Balrog around their King, getting as many brave souls involved as possible.

Durin strikes for the last time knowing they need to start inflicting damage onto the Balrog. However, again the beast took the combat and inflicted two wounds leaving Durin on his last legs. Letting go of Durin the Balrog used his fell magic and set Durin ablaze, but again his Mithril Armour stopped any further injuries.
The remaining fights again go poorly for the Dwarves, six more of their diminishing number fall, all to take out two Goblins. The remaining Dwarves are down to about a third of their starting number while the Goblins are almost at full strength thanks to the number of additional warriors that have joined in.

Durin's Bane

The Balrog charged Durin again with the intent to finally finish this stubborn Dwarf King off. The Goblins also heavily engaged the remaining Dwarf line around Durin with it being on the edge of crumbling. All the remaining Dwarf stragglers had been slain from the numerous Goblins that would surround and trap them, only two thin lines remained.

Thanks to the weight of numbers the Goblins were able to bring to bear Durin was only able to be assisted by three other Dwarfs. Mardin and the Dwarf Captain nearby both called a combats in order to move to assist their King however Mardin and his two iron Guard troops were unable to take out the Moria Blackshield Captain and remained pinned where they were. The Dwarf Captain was more successful and sley the warrior they were fighting and joined his King in combat with the Balrog.

Durin, channelling that Dwarven rage was finally able to best the beast and between him and his allies three wounds were inflicted on the beast however the Balrog looked barely injured from this engagement and the Dwarf line was even worse as four more of both sides number fell in combat. Was it too late for the Dwarves? 

The Balrog stepped up following its injury and with a single throw of its whip was able to latch onto and finish off the wounded Dwarf King. No tales of Victory or Valour for how he fell, simply being hit by a firely lash/ The Balrog continued on killing each Dwarf it came into contact with while the horde of Goblins surrounded and finished off the remaining beleaguered defenders. 

Unsurprisingly the tale of Durin ended as King of Khazad-Dum, the title passing to his son Náin who would fall less than a year later to the same beast. His son Thráin would then retain the title of the King of Durin's folk and would flee with his remaining people to the Lonely Mountain to establish the colony there and establish the Kingdom under the Mountain which would contribute greatly to the history of Middle Earth.
The Balrog however would continue to roam and sleep in Khazad-Dum gaining the title of Durin's Bane and keeping mastery over the Goblin horde that would remain to dwell in the mountain. 

Review

Full disclosure, I played as the Moria side for this scenario but I found it a real blast. We wanted to make it thematic without it being a quick game by having Durin and the Balrog start right in the middle so I deployed it behind the Goblin lines to see what they could do first.

At the start it looks like an okay scenario for the Dwarves based on how the first few turns go as they have the Vault Warden teams and heroes to hold each bridge quite well, but as soon as any hole appears in the Dwarf line the goblins just funnel through and the amount that keep returning really puts the pressure on the Dwarves.

We spoke about it a lot afterwards and we think the ability to kill the balrog is very low, the Ballista needs to be very lucky and unless you can trap it which due to the bridges is hard the Balrog won't ever really die. But I think thats the point of the scenario, as it goes on you can see and feel how bleak it starts to go for the Dwarves as each turn goes by. At the end we totalled it up and 55 goblins came back from the chasm over 12 turns.

The next few scenarios will be back over to Mirkwood with the Necromancer beginning to gain the attention of the Istari.