The Black Ships Sail

[CountMRVHS]

Right - although, how precise is the engine when it comes to determining terrain bonuses on the battlemap?

A lot of the fights here will give advantages to the Elves, as I'm attacking them in their homelands. If only they'd attack me in the desert

[demagogos nicator]

Amazing story, keep it up

[Stark1]

I'm joining the praises, really great aar And going just as I expected

I was wondering if better players have some tricks to deal with elves, as my experience says they're practically unbeateble (once in a straight meelee fight they completely routed my force of dwarves), but it seems they really almost are. I think only Mumakis can bring victory here.

[CountMRVHS]

Winter, FO 414. Obiajulu assaults Southguard Fort, the first obstacle on the road north.

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The garrison, being mostly cavalry, offers little resistance at the walls. Once the towers and gatehouses have been captured, Haradrian archers are able to destroy the last defenders. With the fort taken, the second army can move ahead and lay siege to Tharbad itself with no fear of being attacked from behind.

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In the North, rankled by his kinsman's recent defeat, Mahdigandur of Umbar attacks the remains of the Elven field army while a second Haradrian force besieges Harlond to deny reinforcements.

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Mahdigandur leads a company of Black Numenoreans, some of the finest infantry available to an Emperor who has thrown in his lot with the Shadow Cult. But the captain himself is untested, and the recent defeat has heightened his caution. Upon seeing the tree-covered terrain that hides the Elven force, he turns and withdraws his host without engaging.

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The following spring, it falls to the third commander, Malikum, to assault Harlond. Mahdigandur will reinforce - and so will the roaming force of Elves.

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The siege towers reach the town's walls without a fight, the small garrison having withdrawn to the heights of the city center. But the reinforcing Elves move swiftly to attack the bulk of Malikum's forces. They turn and prepare for the assault.

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The javelins of Southron skirmishers and Swords of Harad do great damage even to the faultless armor of the Lindon Guards. While spearmen hold the line, the javelinmen circle around the flank, searching for a clear cast. At last....

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The ruthless lances of the Horsemen of the Harnen cut down the remaining Elven warriors.

The battle for the field is won, but the city is still held by the grim foe.

Mahdigandur, too eager to come to grips with the enemy, commanded his reinforcing army forward before the walls were captured. Many were slain by darts from the wall towers before they could reach the gates. Malikum rushes his own men forward to aid his kinsmen.

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The men of Harad must climb a steep hill, where a company of Elven archers and staunch spearmen await. But after much fighting, the defenders are swept away from the city center.

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Haradrian forces move to occupy the square. The city is ours.*

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Harad has conquered Harlond. But for how long? Scouts report the approach through the mountains of a large Elven host.

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The defenders of Mithlond are on the move.



*

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Yes, I know winning by the timer is cheap, and doubly so when there was clearly no way I was going to win that battle legitimately. I guess you could chalk it up to Southron trickery and Cultic nefariousness? But also, I don't care - those Elves are rough!

[SnuggleBunnies]

I don't blame you. That stack looks large enough that it might stomp you anyway...

[webba84]

Nah, you could have won that fight, you still had the cavalry for it, and some javelins left.

[CountMRVHS]

The biggest problem with that battle was the AI reinforcements, which (as you can see from the radar map) made a mad dash for the gates as soon as I opened them, and lost a lot of men in the process. Should have known better!

[webba84]

Ah yes, the ai trying to be helpful...

[Chris P. Bacon]

Can you post some screenshots of the unit stats/descriptions? They seem really awesome and I like reading the lore behind the units.

[CountMRVHS]

Certainly, I'll get that up next.

[CountMRVHS]

Meanwhile, in the far North, the armies of the imperial fleet settle in for an uneasy winter. The Elven host has turned back toward Mithlond. At last, the far-faring sailors can rest and resupply. But Haradrian scouts are busy, watching the enemy's movements and reporting on their troops. Formidable soldiers remain to resist the invasion.

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And the armies of the fleet have taken much loss already. The elite Umbar Guard and Inquisition Enforcers bore the brunt of the initial clashes; only a few men remain in these units.

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They are the fortunate ones. The Palace Guard - a unique unit composed of veteran Umbar Guard, retrainable but unrecruitable - was destroyed utterly in the fighting. Their like will not be seen again.

Some staunch warriors remain. Swords of Harad are the backbone of most imperial armies; the javelins they bear are as deadly as their curved blades. The Corsairs of Umbar are fierce and desperate fighters. Cultic Swords of the Shadow can hold a line of battle as well as any Man in Middle-earth. And the Men of Far Harad drive fear into their enemies with their massive weapons and huge frames.

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The hope of the men of the South, however, lies with the Mumakil in Obiajulu's train, now turning north toward the Brandywine.

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For grim tidings have come from beyond the Greyflood.

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Attacked and outnumbered by two hosts of Rohan, Elouahabi retreats eastward with one army in pursuit.

There is no longer any thought of joining Obiajulu's force by way of the bridge at Tharbad. If Elouahabi can defeat the foe here, he will lead his army over the crossing at Swanfleet and make the long journey toward Rivendell, and thence westward into Eriador.

But first he must face down the enemy.

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The terrain here offers no advantage to Elouahabi's Southrons. He deploys them in several lines, with skirmishers at the front and archers to the rear. Lacking any spears to counter the heavy cavalry of the Rohirrim, he must rely on the sword-work of his Corsairs.

The enemy riders pound forward over the grass and attack the Haradrian flanks. The first hammer-blow falls on the Southron left, where the overeager riders are swarmed and cut down by desperate Corsairs.

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On the right, the men of the South are not so fortunate. A charge against the Riders of the Mark stalls.

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And in the center, the enemy captain brings the standard of the White Horse into the fray.

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Elouahabi sees that, if the battle is to be won, he must break the riders on his right. He sends his own bodyguard forward; the Black Serpent meets the White Horse...

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At the clashing of the standards, fresh riders of Rohan thunder into Elouahabi's bodyguard.

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The general lost, the army routs.

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Survivors flee back to Tharbad. There, some remain as garrison forces to delay the Rohirrim. The greater part of the survivors meet up with Obiajulu south of Sarnford.

Now lacking the support of a second captain, Obiajulu must make the trek north alone. There are two main routes: over the crossing at Sarnford, or following the North-South Road to Bree and then passing west into the soft lands of the Shire or beyond Lake Evendim. The latter route would pass through territory in the grip of Rohan, but Sarnford and other lands in the area are held by the exiled lords of Tharbad, who war with both Rohan and the Elves.

Soon enough, a diplomat of Tharbad approaches with an offer.

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As the masters of Sarnford, having military access from Tharbad might allow our forces a faster passage toward Mithlond. The deal is swiftly decided.*

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And, with a proper gift of gold, the men of Tharbad are prodded to attack the Elves on the Emperor's behalf.

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What fruits these negotiations may bring are yet unseen. But Harad has a new ally in the North.

*

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Negotiating Military Access can be done fairly easily, though it wasn't until I watched a Let's Play by YouTuber Infernocanuck that I figured out the secret. First, obtain an alliance with the faction you want Military Access from. Second, *offer* Military Access along with cash (around 2,000 or so is usually sufficient) as a gift. Then, ask for Military Access and offer money (I paid around 40,000 here - could have probably gotten it for less, but money is little concern to me at this point in the campaign, and I wanted to ensure the deal).

Military Access is helpful in negotiating passage around choke points that would otherwise be blocked. Plus, it's just cool to get. I was in fact hoping to get it while Tharbad still held .... Tharbad, but Rohan pushed them out before I could get there. Hopefully this agreement will ease passage for my troops in the region.

[CountMRVHS]

Before the great havens are besieged, scouts are sent to spy out the land. An Elven army approaches from the northeast, led by an Elf-lord and swollen with a host of Elvellyn, the hated Elf-friends - Men who have cast in their lot with the Firstborn. More armies are said to be marching from Annuminas and Fornost. If they are allowed to attack, any siege of Mithlond will be doomed.

The fleet commanders order a massive fortification of the land east of Mithlond. The fortifications are manned with the broken fragments of companies that have been torn to pieces in past battles. Their only purpose is to delay the enemy.

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In the spring, the hastily-constructed fortifications are attacked; a greater army arrives from the north, with more of the formidable Lindon Guard.

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No matter - the forts have served their purpose. Mahdigandur and his Black Numenoreans will lead the assault of the Grey Havens.

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But it no mere lieutenant who commands the defense of the ancient city. The Elvenking himself stands ready to put the hosts of Harad to flight, or to the spear.

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Morning has scarcely broken and clouds still cover the sky when Mahdigandur orders the assault.

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Swords of Harad take the walls; a company of Elven Bows waits to challenge the Haradrian advance. With the aid of reinforcements, they are eventually slain.

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There are but two routes to the city center, where the deadly Elven infantry awaits. Abaan rides up the southern road and throws himself and his heavily armed riders into the fray.

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Mahdigandur diverts half his force to the other, western, route.

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Abaan falls beneath the bitter spears of the Elvenking's bodyguard - just as the Mumakil crest the hill. The Elven Retainers are smashed between the huge creatures and the great Men of Far Harad.

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Malikum, lord of Harlond, charges up the western slope and into the savage blades of the Lindon Guard.

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With Malikum slain, only Mahdigandur remains of the nobility of the South. His forces must break the Elves here, or there will be no victory.

In the central square, the Mumakil rage among the defenders. Corsairs and swordsmen follow, grimly trading blows with the enemy.

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With a crash that shudders the foundation stones, one of the Mumakil topples to the ground, burying friend and foe alike beneath its huge bulk. It is to their credit that the other beasts do not run wild with fear; they are scored with countless wounds from the cruel blades of the Elves.

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At last the square is taken!

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The Elvenking's bodyguard is reduced to three staunch warriors who battle on without fear or fatigue.

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But soon it is only the king himself who remains, surrounded by the howling Men of the South. Mahdigandur's Black Numenoreans shoulder their way into the fight, grimly silent.

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In the end, it is the spear in the hands of a young mercenary from Umbar that finds the throat of the Elvenking.

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Like all victories against the Firstborn, this one is wedded to much loss.

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But the Emperor's will has been done.

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The Havens have fallen.

[CountMRVHS]

Summer, FO 415.

The recently taken Southguard Fort, garrisoned only by a token mercenary force, is bribed by the Rohirrim. No matter - the captains set their sights forward.

Elouahabi of Umbar, leading a host of Corsairs and mercenaries, commands the assault of Tharbad. With this city taken, the road north will be open.

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The Corsair swordsmen clear the ramparts.

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And the army climbs to the city center, a tide of red and bronze rising to drown the mail-clad defenders.

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The city falls - but an army of Rohan has moved forward to deny Obiajulu passage of the bridge. Large forces of the Rohirrim are closing in from all directions. To be cornered here is to risk defeat - and to fail bringing the Mumakil to the aid of the northern fleet.

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Though his Corsairs have just won a great victory, Elouahabi gives them no rest. They attack the host of Rohan. Obiajulu will reinforce.

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The Northmen approach...

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...but reinforcements have arrived.

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The Mumakil and their drivers are eager as ever to plunge into combat. Elouahabi must time his advance to support the great beasts, lest they be surrounded and overcome by the foe.

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The lines clash...

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...and the Rohirrim withdraw in terror. Elouahabi's horse archers send black-feathered shafts into the backs of the retreating enemy; the field is ours.

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But while he has won passage of the bridge, Elouahabi's forces have pushed too far forward in their pursuit of the foe. He must remain as rearguard while Obiajulu crosses, leaving a small garrison in Tharbad, and moves out of reach of the Rohirrim.

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The armies are now sundered and can offer each other no support. Obiajulu feeds his troops on the fertile lands north of the Greyflood, but his thoughts turn anxiously to Elouahabi - will his army be able to cross the bridge next season? Will the horse-lords lay siege to Tharbad, or pursue the separate Haradrian hosts? And will his own force be able to make the long journey to the famed Grey Havens?

[CountMRVHS]

In Harlond, the commanders of the fleet take stock of their forces, healing and resupplying while waiting for any news of the reinforcements marching north.

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Meanwhile, Obiajulu passes the Brandywine at Sarn Ford, leaving the armies of the Rohirrim behind. If they would pursue, the foe must first wrest control of the ford from Tharbad.

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It is but two marches to Mithlond.

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But now is a time for caution. No other reinforcements can be looked for. And old wounds gnaw at the commander and his men. Many have never fully healed from their troubled march through the green lands of Rohan. Rather than make for the Havens, then, he orders his men to turn southwest. They will pass along the foothills of the Ered Luin, through territory held by the Dwarves, and into the subdued lands of Harlindon.

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After several marches, Obiajulu triumphantly approaches the gates of conquered Harlond. The armies of the fleet cheer as the towering Mumakil pass into the city, decked in gold and bronze and red dye. But Obiajulu knows his days of battle are over.

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Shortly after delivering his reinforcements to the commanders of the imperial fleet, the old desert chieftain succumbs to his wounds. A man of the southern desert, he meets his end in the damp and distant North after making a journey that will be remembered at Umbar for generations. All eight of the Mumakil survived the passage from beyond the Harnen to the Blue Mountains, through hostile territory. Though his men suffered much on their harrowing march, the battered and hardened survivors are prepared to risk even more for the wishes of their Emperor and the memory of their fallen master. Obiajulu is burned on a great pyre overlooking the gulf, a massive mound raised over the ashes in defiance of the Sea.


The fleet commanders divide up the forces. Two hosts are sent into Elven lands, to provoke an attack before laying siege.

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The attack comes soon enough.

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Abaan leads the defense, with Mahdigandur and his Black Numenoreans commanding the reinforcements. Abaan has the high ground, but must move swiftly to catch the Elves between the two Haradrian hosts.

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The battle quickly erupts into chaos - there are no battle lines, only pockets of dense resistance, islands of heroic last stands amid a sea of slaughter.

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Even the immortal Elves are unnerved by the huge southern beasts that trample, gore, and toss them aside.

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At last the enemy captain and his company of archers are routed and destroyed. The Men of the South claim victory - but at a terrible price. Fewer than half of the Southron warriors survive.

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But to the east, in the distance, the survivors can make out the gleaming white towers of the far downs. No fierce Elven host patrols the lands.

The road to Mithlond is open.

[SnuggleBunnies]

Ouch, what a bloody mess. How does it feel to sate your megalomania?

[CountMRVHS]

Ouch, what a bloody mess. How does it feel to sate your megalomania?

Draining! I actually played variations of that field battle 3 times (AI reinforcements wouldn't show up correctly, or simply refused to be helpful; or the Elves would somehow move through my zone of control and attack an army that was intended to be the reinforcements).

[SnuggleBunnies]

Hmm. How is Annuminas under ai elven rule?

[CountMRVHS]

Bribery, I assume. (They have Fornost, too.) My guess is that it rebelled after Adunabar took it from the RK; or possibly they just bribed it straight from Adunabar.

[webba84]

They must have held it a while to be producing higher tier Elvellyn.

[SnuggleBunnies]

Interesting. Never seen that happen before.