Total War Center Forums - AARs and Fan Fiction http://www.twcenter.net/forums/ en Fri, 24 May 2013 14:06:36 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.twcenter.net/forums/images/y2skin/misc/rss.png Total War Center Forums - AARs and Fan Fiction http://www.twcenter.net/forums/ <![CDATA[The Dark Lord's Hordes]]> http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?601503-The-Dark-Lord-s-Hordes&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 07:22:23 GMT The Dark Lord's Hordes

Prologue:
Ash swirled above the plains of Gorgoroth, Mt. Doom spewed another wave of fire into the sky, and the Great Eye of Mordor looked down on the lands of middle earth. For years he had been planning his onslaught upon the Free Peoples of the West, and that time was soon approaching. In the south the armies of Mordor and Harad were moving to secure Ithillien and the crossings of the Anduin. In the east, Rhun was preparing a defensive line against Dale and the Dwarves of the Iron Hills. The wild men of Dunland and armies of Isenguard were moving against Rohan and, in the north, the armies of Moria and Gundabad were massing for the oncoming storm.
But all was not ready yet. The Free Peoples were still a force to be reckoned with. While the final onslaught would come soon, the armies of darkness would first need to build of their armies in preparation. Then, when the Great War finally came, nothing could stop them. Yes, thought the Dark Lord Sauron, patience; I have waited for countless millennia, and I can wait a few years longer. Gleaming with malice, it turned its eyes west, watching as the hordes of Mordor marched to war.

Introduction:
The way I set this game up, I will be playing as every evil faction in the game simultaneously, using a hotseat setup. The purpose of this will be to allow the armies of darkness to coordinate under the direction of their dark lord and master. That being said, I will offset this advantage in four ways. First, I will play on VH/VH, next, I will use the sadistic governor script w/ no building/recruiting without a family member present. Also, as this is technically a Hotseat game I will not be able to command defensive battles (meaning that I am going to get screwed by the auto-resolve every now and then). Finally, if, later in the game some factions become too powerful I will have them betray Sauron and seek to conquer Middle Earth on their own.
I would argue that Evil has a weaker starting position, especially in the north. There, the Orcs of Gundabad and the Misty Mountains are surrounded by countless armies of elves, men, and dwarves. That will be a defensive war. My attacks on Rohan and Gondor will be my main thrust, with Rhun supporting both while holding off Dale. In this Rhun will likely prove to be the decisive factor, tipping the balance of the war in Evil's favor (though maybe I just love those Dragon Legions).

Random Commentary: So I love MOS, but I would highly advise playing it in a window. Otherwise the turns take about ten minutes to process. With a window you can multitask and go back and forth. Plus, you can make AARs like this!

Chapter 1: The Pieces are Moving
The armies of darkness will have to move quickly if they are to position themselves well for the oncoming storm. In the south Mordor's armies are overrunning Ithillien while in Duneland the wildmen moved to capture Tharbad and Swanfleet. This move led to the first real battle of the Great War. Seeing the Wildmen encroach upon their territory, the peasants of Swanfleet raised an army and marched to challenge them. Meeting below the cliffs south of Tharbad, these peasants held the numerical advantage, but proved no match for the Dunlending Berserkers cleaving through their lines.

The Battle of Swanfleet
Elsewhere, the Dark Lord's Plans proceed apace. The Orcs of Gundabad began a push to the coast, in the hopes of conquering Forodwaith, the Orcs of the Misty Mountains made preparations for a campaign against the rebels of the Upper Anduin, Rhun built of its Dragon Legions and moved against Uldonavan, and Harad attacked north into Harodnor.
It was at this time that disaster struck for the forces of Gondor. Thinking Mordor weak, they left inadequate forces garrisoning the Anduin, and the Dark Lord Struck. The Witch King of Angmar rushed forward and took Cair Andros and Osgiliath, the fortresses guarding the Anduin crossings.

Random Commentary: I realize that the two-turn recruitment for elite units is a balance issue, but it can be really infuriating having to wait double the time to get your army up and running. It is even worse for Rhun, my favorite faction, because their Dragon Legions are ALL two-turn recruits. Still, seeing your gold-clad army assembled in the field makes it all worth it. I mean seriously, Rhun is awesome! I'm surprised more people don't play them. They are like Roman Legionaries (minus the pila).

The hosts of Mordor, however, still had many battles to fight. There were rebels that needed to be driven out of Henneth Annun and an army of Gondorien reinforcements marching on Cair Andros. Seeing this, the dark lord threw his armies agains Henneth Annun, planning to then send them west to reinforce the crossing. The battle was long and bloody, with wave after wave of orcs being thrown back from the cave, but soon, the Nazgul circled round the rear and, in a series of devastating charges, wiped out the remaining defenders.


The Battle of Henneth Annun
However, the assault was bloody and few were left to hold the river crossing. As such, the armies in Osgiliath crossed the river and marched north to cut off the Gondorian escape. Seeing this, General Egelmoth turned his army back and attacked one of the armies marching against him. It was routed, but the other soon struck back in its place. Led by three Nazgul the host of over 3000 orcs descended on the 700 fleeing Gondorians.
Egelmoth put up a valiant defense, but his number were far too few. The Nazgul circled round his flank and soon the captain of Gondor lay slain and his army was in flight. Only the Fountain Guard remained on the field, fighting to the bitter end, but for every orc they slew, two more took its place. Eventually all were overwhelmed and slaughtered.

The Battle of Anorien

Random Commentary: I'm playing this while listening to the song "Where There's a Whip There's a Way" from the Rakin-Bass Return of the King. So funky!

Meanwhile in the Gap of Rohan, the host of Isenguard goes on the march. The Kind of Rohan, seeing the weakness of the Westfold, sent an army to reinforce the troops already stationed there. If the two armies were to meet they would prove a deadly force to the Uruk-Hai army. To avoid this, the host of Isenguard marched south with all haste in the hopes of cutting them off and defeating the two armies separately.
The chase was long and soon the Rohirrim were at the very gates of the town when the Uruk-Hai caught up with them. Knowing that the garrison at Gineard would arrive soon, the Uruk-Hai struck first. At the sight of the vast horde the Rohirrim fled up a hill, hoping to make their stand there. Undaunted the Uruks charged up the hill, smashing into the Rohirrim lines.
Soon, however, a hord was heard across the plains and the reinforcements under Gamling of Gineard arrived to bolster the Rohirrim lines. His tide of horsemen smashed into the Urik-Hai archers, but like a great all they held fast. Soon, as the Rohirrim on the hill were wiped out, the bulk of Isenguards army turned back to face Gamling. The fight was long and bloody but, soon, Gamling lay slain and Rohan's army was vanquished with over 1000 slain alongside but 300 Uruks.


The Battle of Gineard

Emboldened by this success, the Dark Lord pondered a new plan. The armies of Gundabad and Moria had been built up well and they were in need of lands to conquor. The Orcs of the Misty Mountains were already planning a campaign into the Upper Anduin but their southern armies were uncommitted. Seeing this, the Great Eye of Sauron looked to Rivendell, home of Elrond and capitol of the High Elves. To capture this place would strike a huge blow against the free peoples of Middle Earth. Mobilizing his armies, the Orcs of Gundabad and Moria each sent a force to take the city. Hopefully their combined strength could overpower that of the Elves.
The war has now gone on for almost five years. The armies of darkness rule the banks of the Anduin from Harodnor to Dul Guldor and a line has been drawn across Mirkwood and Rohavion stretching from The banks of the Anduin to the Sea of Rhun. The armies of Isenguard and Dunland rule Enedwaith and the westfold as their armies continue to swell with new recruits. In the north Gundabad and Moria are sending their armies against Rivendell while the Orcs of the Misty Mountains attempt to secure the Upper Anduin.
The Dark Lord sees this and would have smiled, were he capable of such an act. The opening skirmishes have been fought and won but the Battle for Middle Earth is yet to begin... ]]> AARs and Fan Fiction AdmiralThrawn http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?601503-The-Dark-Lord-s-Hordes Wrath of the Serpent http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?599373-Wrath-of-the-Serpent&goto=newpost Sun, 05 May 2013 16:03:02 GMT Hello everyone!

I'm an newly registered member but I was a silent reader of this forum for some time now :smile:, that's because I finally wanted to write something.
I'd like to make a Harad AAR because I am an unpatient kind of person and frequently I just start alot of new games and not finish any of them so I'm also (not only of course) creating this to keep me motivated to play one game from start to the end :cool:.

This will be my first time writing something like that. I got an idea for a plot of this story but I want everybody to post criticism, opinions and ideas, I will be very grateful :thumbsup2 First thing is obviously fighting Gondor but what happens next I will keep in secret (because maybe someone will post some great ideas! :laughter:) Please tell me if this size of pictures is okay or post full-size images to make things easier to read? Also, I am waiting for Your advices I could put into the story as the Chieftain's council :)

I hope there will be no misunderstandings with my english and that you will like my story.

Chapter 1

Khuzaymah was sitting in the main hall of Hyarmen, doing the paper work that every ruler is doing. Many years have passed and now, almost all the tribes are finally united under a single banner - the Black Serpent. Many of the tribes are aggresive and proud, but they don't see the benefits of living in a bigger community, instead they cling to their pitiful lives as rats and outlaws. Khuzaymah wanted to conquer as many territories as possible without bloodshed. It's not because he didn't liked to fight or was afraid. He was a wise king. Harad was at war with Gondor for many long years, and war isn't cheap. What's the point in killing, burning, destroying the tribes when Khuzaymah needed them. His victories over the years of war, serving as a captain of his father's army made him a great warrior and even greater commander. Now that the old man died, it is Khuzaymah's duty to carry the banner again and lead the Haradrim to a better living. Two weeks ago, diplomats were sent to the remaining tribes - Khand, Erelond and to people of South Gondor who did not saw Denethor as their king.


-My Lord... there are messages from the tribes, my Lord.

Khuzaymah's councillor wasn't good at giving bad news to the Chieftain

-And?
-They... They want to fight, my Lord. People sent to Khand never returned, spies report that they were hanged on the city gate...
-what about others? What about Tir Ethraid, Barad Harn and other cities?
-Your men came back with terrible wound, my Lord...
-Fine, I will give them a lesson, send word to my oldes son, Qusay in Umbar. I need his corsairs to raid the island city nearby, also call Musab and other generals. We need to gather forces in Harondor and conquer the northern territories, except for Jibran and Utbah, send them to Khand, they will know what to do. Only tell them to remember that we are not the only kingdom that would like to take Khand.
-Yes my Lord.

So the forces were sent and preparations for battle begun. Corsairs from provinces surrounding Umbar are gathering. Gimilkhad has beed chosen a governor of Umbar while the Corsair Lord Qusay will be out of town, killing and plundering - cause this were his favourite things to do. Constant attacks on gondorian trade ships, blocking ports, pillaging villages, Lord Qusay is good with this. He is bearing the spear of Fuinur, weapon that only the heir of the Serpent can carry. Khuzaymah's younger son- Musab, is taking his forces north. He has much to learn but definitely warfare is his thing.



War isn't cheap. Chieftain's advisor showed him financial summary of the past six months. Things were awful.

- My Lord, you need to decide something in the matter of gold! Our treasury is almost empty! Shall we rise the taxes my lord?
- Yes, for the sake of the kingdom, people shall pay so that we can stabilise our financial situation. Order the builders to concentrate on farms and grain exchanges at first.
- Yes, my Lord. Gimilkhad said that there are precious ore veins near Umbar, maybe we could use it?
- Of course we will... Umbar is already a huge city, build ages ago. Build mines there, make use of what fate has given us and rise taxes as high as possible.
- Yes, my Lord, you are wise as your father was, my Lord.
- My old man was a fool...
- But... My Lord! Your father...
- Silence. I have no wish of speaking about my father now. Leave and rise taxes, especially in Hyarman and Umbar. Send words to my generals to make their work quickly. Do not starve them out, make siege engines and assault quickly.
- Yes, my Lord.


Next year, forces started to gather in Harondor, leaded by Musab, Chieftain's younger son, Haarith and Yaman. Spies went further north to see the situation in Ithilien. Words were heard, that the east part of Osgiliath, controlled by Sauron was under siege. Khuzaymah was pretty happy with this news because he disliked Sauron, opposite to his father. However the bad news were that a large in numbers Gondor army had arrived to West Osgiliath, consisting mainly of militias, volunteers and at least one heavily armoured infantry unit. Corsair warband sailed to Erelond, Chieftain expected the city to be captured within a year. Time was of the essence. Taxes made people in Hyarmen unhappy. Desperate needs call for desperate methods, but simple people could not see this.





- My Lord! My Lord! The people are on the streets! They're hostile!

Khuzaymah sighted, he never liked when someone opposed him or worse - disrupt his plans.

- Dispatch one unit of spearmen, they shall defend the palace and the barracks. Avoid fighting.

But it was unavoidable... Combat ignited with the angry mob. 158 of them served as a valuable lesson. Chieftain was a wise and confident man. And a wise ruler must know that his people must respect or fear him. Since respect collapsed, fear must come in it's place in order to bring peace to the city. Same thing happened in Umbar. More citizens mean more effort to keep them in place.



Next month spies reported that Mordor forces have relieved themselves of the siege. These were rather good news because Mordor was his ally and strenghtening of Gondor would be dangerous for Harad. Early this morning an old warrior asked for the hand of Chieftain's daughter - Nusaybah and he was refused. Khuzaymah cared much about his children, also knew about their purpose. Sons would grow up as warriors, generals, eventually one of them would take the place of the Black Serpent. Daughters would marry strong men who would serve as generals and governors of the kingdom. Ubayy was a good candidate but Chieftain thought about him as too old for his young girl.



Qusay and the rest of the commanding generals were already sieging the cities. Siege engines were built, now they only waited for a good time to strike.



Next month will be a month of sword and spear...




]]> AARs and Fan Fiction Asanroth http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?599373-Wrath-of-the-Serpent