Raiding of East Bight

**Lucius Malfoy** · December 10, 2012, 03:00 PM

To the East of Dol Guldur, in the southeastern parts of Mirkwood, was a clearing known as East Bight or the Narrows of the Forest. It was said Northmen, who claimed to be the ancestors of the Éothéod or the present day Rohirrim, used this area for forestry for many generations. For many years, this land was free despite its close proximity to the fortree of Dol Guldur. However upon this day, the dark clouds, conjured by the Black Numenorean Azûlagân, fell upon these lands, imposing the will of Sauron into its very soil.

Ludgush, the right hand servant of Azûlagân and Chief of the Orcs and Uruks, brought with him a raiding host of Orcs and Uruks to seek out slaves for the mighty fortress and to plunder the East Bight for its needed resources. Along with them were fifty newly trained Warg riders as a test run for the new mounts. They hoped to find plenty of slaves to take back to Dol Guldur as prizes. And the smell of man-flesh drew them towards this area.

Dol Guldur Raiding Host
Commander: Ludgush, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur
Forces:
50 Warg Riders
1,000 Uruk Raiders (levy infantry)
1,500 Orc Warbands (levy infantry)

OOC: I am not using an Ancient Evil spell. The dark clouds is merely for the description and to add to the scenery

**Pontifex Maximus** · December 11, 2012, 10:23 AM

Arriving in this dark section of the woods, they discover that their noses had perhaps betrayed them. There were men, yes, but they were dangling upside down from large, conical webs. The beasts that had ensnared them seemed to have a large appetite, for the commotion soon seemed to draw many of their long-legged foes from the canopy of the forest. They stared down with an almost dead gaze towards their prey. Skittering behind the brush betrayed unseen movements and it soon became clear that the distraction of the canopy had been merely to buy the spiders time to assemble themselves. They called out in what appeared to be loud whispers, a harsh and strangled sound.

"Orc fleshhh. Not asss juicy but sssstill good."

A cocophony of hisses ensued as spiders began descending with great speed, throwing up webs against obvious escape lanes.

**Lucius Malfoy** · December 11, 2012, 11:25 AM

Ludgush noticed the dangling humans and the canopies. So this where the spiders had moved off to after the clearing around Dol Guldur began. Some of the Orcs began to make distressed noises till the Uruk barked at them to quiet down. That's when the hisses came forth as Ludgush looked seeing spiders descending down from above. He drew his blade, raising it high up.

For the Eye!! For Sauron!!

The Uruks and Orcs, renewed in spirit, let out threatening roars and Orcish cries. The Wargs howling with them. Seeing as they were among the tree line of the clearing, Ludgush had his troops run into the open of the East Bight and take up formations, giving them better mobility. They would force the spiders to fight on their terms. Among the weapons they had, groups of Orcs carried torches. They would threw them high towards the trees and into clustered canopies to smoke out and burn the spiders.

**Pontifex Maximus** · December 11, 2012, 11:33 AM

On they came with uncanny speed, descending from on high or reaching from the brush. The raiders had become the raided. Several orcs at a time were quickly wrapped up and dragged away. Unruly ones were outright killed, although the flesh tastes better after it had hung for a while and ripened. The spiders did a good job initially, but as time dragged on tired and became vulnerable.

Dol Guldur rolls:
offense: 11
defense: 10

**Lucius Malfoy** · December 11, 2012, 11:37 AM

Ludgush was willing to sacrifice his weaker soldiers in order for time to be given. As a melee combat ensued and dragged on, his eyes noticed that the spiders grew tired and thus were vulnerable. He then began barking orders in Black Speech, it was time for their counteroffensive...and to show the true strength of Dol Guldur's soldiers. The Orcs and Uruks reformed their lines and then charged at the vulnerable spiders. Fifty warg riders came flying forward, biting and ripping apart spiders.

**Gandalfus** · December 11, 2012, 11:38 AM

Prince Legolas
700 Vanyar Archers equipped with bows
300 Sindar Spearmen equipped with spears

2000 levies

A rather large elven force begins moving along the old forest road, then turns off deeper into Mirkwood. They fan out amongst the trees, and begin searching for any kind of orcish or critter infestation. They hope to purge any evil from the forest. Prince Legolas leads the majority of the forces deeper into the woods in search of foes who would disturb the peace and tranquillity of the Woodland Realm.

**Pontifex Maximus** · December 11, 2012, 11:42 AM

15: Scouting partially successful

The elves near the scene of battle, drawn by the noise that grows with each step they take. It soon becomes obvious that a party of orcs is being beset by foul creatures of the wood. They are unaware of the number of spiders and orcs, but they must make a choice to get involved or wait to see what happens.

**Gandalfus** · December 11, 2012, 11:58 AM

OOC: do I PM you the rest?

**Pontifex Maximus** · December 11, 2012, 12:55 PM

If you'd like

**Gandalfus** · December 11, 2012, 04:00 PM

- The Firstborn: +1 swordsmanship in battle
- People of the Trees: +2 accuracy of bows and +1 to ambush rolls
- Immortal: Never have death rolls
- Keen Eyes: +4 roll modifier to detecting ambushes (battle trait)
- Elvish Lore: Able to use Elvish Lore to cast spells and to negate Dark Magic (Units gained through economy each year; check Good Faction economy tab)

Adding traits, as well as +1 battle modifier per the new year.

**Pontifex Maximus** · December 11, 2012, 04:12 PM

From within the forest, shrieking arrows begin to whistle from the depths of the woods: the elves had arrived. With the battle between the spiders still ongoing, Ludgush was caught in a rather sticky situation with inadequate forces.

**Gandalfus** · December 11, 2012, 04:18 PM

The archers are to carry on firing. Legolas nocks an arrow and attempts to fire it at the orcish commander. The rest of his forces maintain their previously ordered positions until the Prince orders otherwise. Legolas silently exults as the arrows whistle into the flanks of the orcs, and the elves around him eagerly continue to empty their quivers

**Lucius Malfoy** · December 11, 2012, 04:24 PM

Ludgush growls lowly. There was no use in staying here now. The Elves had arrived and spoiled their raid. He begins speaking in Black Speech. The melee broke off as the Uruks and Orcs began to pull back in files into the shadows of Mirkwood. Ludgush waved a torch in front of a couple spiders, pointing his sword.

You want something more tasty? Elven flesh behind you!

He threw the torch into some brush, attempting to start a fire. The Uruk then ran for his Warg, mounting and riding away at best speed with his Warg riders as a personal guard. Ludgush attempted to get away before they lost the day. The Uruks and Orcs made best speed away from the area as well.

OOC: Should have added this
+1 to defesive rolls this year due to event

Racial Traits:
- Soldier of the Eye: +1 offense in battle
- Will of Sauron: +1 defense in battle
- Sunlight: -1 to morale if fighting in direct sunlight

**Pontifex Maximus** · December 12, 2012, 09:05 AM

50 Warg Riders
1,000 Uruk Raiders (levy infantry)
1,500 Orc Warbands (levy infantry)

=13% casualties from each category

The spiders, wearied from their battle with the orcs, mostly begin to withdraw. Some hundrier, more energetic begin to approach the position of the elves with enthusiasm, however. It is likely that all the commotion would draw the attention of other beasts of the forest.

**Gandalfus** · December 12, 2012, 10:31 AM

The elves, seeing the orcs retreat, get off a final volley before retreating in the face of the forest creatures. Prince Legolas did not want to get caught up in a prolonged engagement.