Scenario 10: Field of Celebrant

As the Third Age progressed further Gondor found itself under siege and in danger as its domains were attacked and laid siege to by the Khandish armies. Cirion the current Steward of Gondor called his forces together to push out and stop the Khandish threat but their numbers were too few. Knowing this Cirion sent requests of aid to anyone who would receive them. As the Khandish forces broke into Gondor's western provinces, a stand was made at the crossing while the only ally Gondor had that could arrive in time rode at full speed to assist, lead by their own King Eorl.

Forces of Good:

Cirion (King of Men) with heavy armour, horse and shield
12x Warriors of Minas Tirith (4x shield, 4x spear and shield, 4 bow)
6x Knights of Minas Tirith with shield

Eorl the Young

6x Sons of Eorl
12x Riders of Rohan (4x throwing spear)

Forces of Evil:

Khandish King on Chariot
Kahndish Chieftan on Chariot
3x Khandish Charioteer
12x Khandish Horsemen

18x Khandish Warriors (12x hand-and-a-half axe, 6x Bow)

Additionally, the following rules are in play:

• The Anduin river is treated as deep water except for the crossing which is shallow water.
• Eorl and his force arrive on the Good players fourth move phase from the Northern board edge.

The Scenario ends on either of the following victory conditions:

• If the forces of Evil are reduced below 25% of their starting number at the end of a turn the forces of Good win!
• If Cirion is slain the game ends immediately for a forces of Evil win!

Deployment

The limited Gondor force stared down the oncoming cheering Khandish army charging towards them. Outnumbered by numbers, archers and cavalry the Cirion decided the best location to hold was the narrow shallow water crossing to attempt to limit the numbers of the oncoming host. 

Oncoming Horde

The Gondor force repositioned around the crossing to better ready their caverlry for any counter charges that would be needed. Meanwhile the Khandish forced moved up ready to fire a volley upon the defenders while their infantry caught up.

Both sides loose a volley at each other, four shots at the Khandish force first only slaying a single Khandish horse of which its rider landed safely. The Khandish side despite firing back 16 shots at the defensive force didn't inflict a single wound.

The Gondor force repositioned again leaving a gap in the centre line for any friendly cavalry to move through and preparing to charge any who would dare swim across the heavy currents. The Khandish force again moved up to fire a second volley at closer range and prepare to begin crossing the river both on the crossing and around with their horsemen leading the way.

Both sides let loose again, with the Gondorians unable to hit a single horsemen. The Khandish force again failed to inflict a single would despite firing 22 shots with only two of these even hitting a target.

Begin the Crossing

The Gondor force again held the line not ready to give up any defensive position. The Khandish forces in response began their crossing of the river, most of the force swam their initial distance successfully, although two warriors drowned in the attempt. 

Ready to charge the centre line of the Gondor force but not willing to risk himself yet the Khandish King sent a warrior and his chieftain to break the line. However the Gondor Shieldwall proved to be too strong and both Chariots were stalled in their tracks.

While the Khandish force were crossing the river the Gondor archers were finally able to better hit their targets, slaying a rider and dismounting another. The Khandish force fired back but with much less shots due to all the horsemen crossing. Despite this reduced amount of shooting they were able to take out a Knight scoring their first kill.

After the arrows flew around them combat began with the charging chariots. The Gondor shieldwall proved tough again and though the Khandish chariots were both able to win their fights only a single warrior lay slain from the chieftain. However, the impact of the chariot forced the surviving warrior prone and with the rush of the river he was swept away.

The Horns of Help

The Khandish forces seized the initiative and pressed their advantage. The chariots charged into the disrupted line but failed again to score any kills. Another Khandish warrior drowned in the attempt but much the remaining force were able to cross or engage into combat with the defensive Gondor force.

The Khandish King however could faintly hear the sounds of hooves and horns in the distance, unsure whether this was friend or foe he realigned himself to face this oncoming threat and called his archers to him. The Knights of Gondor engaged where they could charging into the Khandish horsemen who had crossed but with the amount of warriors crossing they were close to the line collapsing. Seeing he had no choice the Cirion charged into the Khandish Chieftain hoping to at least stop him.

The Khandish Kings concern was correct and Cirion breathed a sign of relief. A large force of horseman, lead by a man named Eorl had ridden to their aid. Although as they had arrived behind the Khandish force, would the Gondor force hold long enough to receive their help.

Although Cirion was glad of the help he still had his own combat to deal with as did all the rest of his force. The Gondor force struggled to hold both on the crossing and either side, two of their knights fell in combat alongside a warrior and archer. In response they were able to claim two horsemen and a warrior. 

Cirion lost his duel against the Khandish Chieftan but only suffered a single wound. Although he was now without his horse stuck in the shallow crossing of the river. Should the Chieftan react quickly he would be at the mercy of a chariot charge.

Holding the Line

The forces of Good took the initiative and did their best to limit any further Khandish forces completing their crossing, it also allowed Cirion to stand up and charge into the Chieftains chariot without getting hit by it first, this time backed up by some of his loyal troops. Of the Rohirrim only Eorl and a few of his sons were able to reach a few scattered archers and charged in. An advantage being that Eorl's trusty horse Felaróf could move faster than any other.

The Khandish King seeing his few scattered archers about to be run down by the on-coming horsemen instead directed his available charioteers to charge through regardless of who is in the way. The first chariot ran through his kinsmen but the remaining charge took out three son's of Eorl before stopping at a rider of Rohan. With the in range horsemen taken out the Khandish King went for this leader of horsemen. However, despite being carried through his archer, the chariot impact failed to inflict any damage on Eorl, Eorl's horse though was able barely to survive the hits thanks to its rider. The rest of the Khandish troop were able to swim further across the river, this time none succumbing to its current. 

Combats erupted all over both sides of the crossing. Cirion is able to push back the Chieftain but fails to wound him and the chariot. Around him his line fought well, taking out the other chariot rider and two Khandish horsemen, though at the cost of three of his own. On the other side of the river the rider of Rohan was eliminated but Eorl was able to beat back and wound the Khandish King. Evil claimed a further higher kill count, even with trampling over two of their own number they only lost five to the Gondor and Rohan's seven loses.

The Pushback

The Forces of Good took priority allowing for a full cavalry charge from the soon to be named Rohirrim. The Sons of Eorl took the lead in charging the remaining chariots being the better fighters of the group while Eorl again charged the Khandish King to continue their duel. On the Gondor side of the river the remaining forces charged where they could to protect Cirion who again went to duel the Khandish Chieftain but their numbers were too few and many remaining Khandish warriors were able to assist and outnumber the Gondorians in most fights.

The Gondor forces however held firm, inspired by their King continuing to fight and their on-coming reinforcements, and only a single warrior fell but taking out no Khandish troops, Cirion again beat back the Chieftain but failed again to wound him, the chariot getting in the way. On the Rohan side their charge failed to carry out the impact required, a rider of Rohan fell and others were pushed back, although one chariot was taken down. Eorl was also bested with his fellow rider of Rohan slain and himself taking a wound.

The forces of Good jumped the Khandish force again but thanks to the slowly disappearing line Cirion had to take on the Chieftain alone. The other side of the river a great throwing spear aim from a rider of Rohan took out the final warrior chariot and cleared a big space for the horsemen to get through to the Gondor side with a single rider able to help Cirion against the Chieftain. Eorl re-engaged the Khandish King joined by many of his riders. The remaining Khandish forces again piled in to the dwindling Gondor force unable to turn and assist their leader.

The Gondor force again tried to hold but this time was completely overwhelmed scoring a single Khandish horsemen kill at the cost of two knights and two foot soldiers. Cirion also was beaten by the Chieftain and seeing a change to shatter the moral of the remaining forces swung at Cirion but failed to inflict a decisive wound on the already wounded Steward. 

On the Rohan side the combats went almost perfectly three kills from four combats with no loses taken. Eorl with the number of riders he had with him heroic struck with the King copying him. After a lengthy duel Eorl came out on top thanks to his men. However, despite the weight of attacks from the Rohan side the chariot was able to block all the hits, collapsing in on itself after the dust settled leaving the King surrounded by horsemen.

Rescuing Cirion

Evil went first this time and seeing how many of their number had fallen the Khandish forces went for the isolated Gondor Steward where possible. The Chieftains chariot again failed to wound Cirion but piled in with a fellow horsemen and warrior. However none of the Khandish force was able to move to assist their own King, a single rider got far enough to engage one of the Sons but Eorl and the Khandish King would again face off, likely for the last time.

With Cirion being trapped on the centre of the crossing the remaining Rohan force split their attention between the Chieftain and warriors attacking him and the Khandish king engaging their own leader. Thanks to the speed of their horses and a remaining Gondor spearmen they were able to pull off everything but a single horsemen that had engaged Cirion.

The remaining three Gondor warriors shone as needed, each one using their shield to beat back the forces that had jumped on them. Cirion despite fighting only a single horsemen was close to losing having to spend his remaining might to win and slay the rider. Other than the Chieftain, the Rohan forces were able to take out every Khandish warrior they faced.

Knowing the battle was likely over and wanting to do whatever he could to taint this victory the Khandish King again heroic struck hoping to at least take down the king of these horsemen. Eorl struck as well and again finished higher. He beat back the Khandish King and his troops capitalised inflicting the wounds required to take him down.

With the King and the bulk of their forces defeated the remaining Khandish force fled the battle, the Gondor force down to an injured Cirion and three of his Gondor warriors. Eorl arrived in the nick of time but still lost a lot of his own forces to stop the Khandish force. A very close battle despite Cirion being in constant danger both his own troops and the reinforcements were able to keep him alive.

Review

I think I will want to play this scenario again, this is the first one I can say I didn't enjoy, I didn't dislike it but it just feels like their should be more to it. I don't fully know how chariots are meant to interact with things like a river as their own rule says streams and gullies which are much smaller than this so I decided they couldn't cross other than at the crossing. Additionally, the Gondor force feels like if you don't do that it will just get taken out instantly.

I also wasn't sure what to do with the Rohan side, if they should split and some come in on each side of the river or all come in the same side. I decided it would all be on the same side and behind the Khandish force at the start of the game but didn't tell the Khandish player as to not influence what they wanted to do.

It was also my first time playing with chariots I think which I can now say I am not a fan, the impact hits are a massive bit of randomness and feels like if you leave them back for the rohan side you can just cut a way though easily and immediately, even with the single charge like that we were able to do a single one took out three Sons of Eorl.

A Good win in this scenario doesn't add anything to the campaign other than it makes it easy for me to say Rohan now gets established as a reward for Eorl's help in saving Cirion and the line of Stewards can continue.

The next scenario will be the Battle of the Greenfields where forces of the shire will make their first appearance.

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