Game 27 - The Ride Begins

Middle Earth News Network reports that Sauron’s doggedly determined front man, Dendra Dwar, is not concerned with Sauron’s recent slip in the polls. MENN sources report that Dendra Dwar released a brief reply to the FP’s taunting - “Sauron shall prevail.” Dendra Dwar was reported mastering his “spirits” spell list and was unavailable for further comment. Our reporters later learned that Tónn Varthkûr was available for comments. We caught up with the charming, quick witted, battle hardened, and always charasmatic Varthkûr on the eve of the unveiling of his bone sculpture in Osgiliath.

“Had we known the FP were so devious, we would have invited them to join us earlier,” laughed Tónn. “By locking up the neutrals with market buys, empty promises, and warpped reasoning, makes defeating the FP even more bitter sweet,” said Tónn between picking the meat off of yet another fallen Gondor soldier.

When asked about the loss of Bolg, Tónn replied “You reporters never understand military leaders or artists… you just don’t get it. As for Denethor’s little comment regarding our loss, I simply say those in glass keeps cast the first stone.” Tónn pointed out that the skulls of Faramir and Boromir play a prominent role in his “primitivist art” sculpture.

Tónn went on to explain that Bolg was a fine military leader and a close friend. Tónn reminded the people of Middle Earth that the DS forces mantra is UT PROSIM. For you latin lovers… look it up. “Our individualistic wishes are irrelevant to the needs of the people,” explained Tónn. Tónn reflected upon Bolg’s death with pride by saying “Bolg served well.”

Tónn later pronounced that Sauron is personally unveiling Tonn’s sculpture next week. Sauron’s spoke person, Urzahil, declined to comment due to security reasons. Alas the other Nazgul Nine for Truth were unavailable to validate Sauron’s visit, as many are rumored off recruiting dragons.

From you leader in Middle Earth’s breaking news - this is the MENN signing off.

:o

Shhhh… be very, very quiet. Huntin’ dwarves.

giggle

I’ve become pretty spoiled playing the Dwarves in grudge games. This is my first open game. The whole Neutrals thing adds an amazing new dimension to the game for me, and one where I’m learning I still have toes on my feet (ow). But in the 2950 grudge games, the Dwarves are so far from the action that they just never seem to attract the attention of the good early killers (Din O, Ji Indur, etc.). Their ilk are usually far too busy taking care of the closer enemies.

When I got a report that local militia spotted Din O and thwarted his mission in MY capital – the DWARVES’ Capital – well, I have to say “surprise” doesn’t quite describe it.

And, as I have pointed out in other game-specific threads, it is precisely that kind of surprise that makes this game worth playing. Frankly, I am frustrated at the Character-centric nature of this game. But I haven’t finished writing my own online wargame yet and there just isn’t anything out there that I’ve found that brings this much dimension and fog of war to my gaming experience. So I put up with the Character emphasis in order to get the squealing joy of surprise that this game can deliver like no other I’ve seen.

But…Din O? At the Dwarven Capital? On Turn 6??

I guess I should take it as a compliment.

But…well, it’s a first for me. That’s really all I can say.

  • Steven K. Mariner
    Dwarves-27

“Ut prosim?” Mood is a thing for cattle and love play, not fighting! In Gondor the motto is “Necate.”

“Din is just enjoying the Northern Springtime Tour, hosted by Sindar Caravan Lines. We told him not to travel under his own name, but the boy just doesn’t listen.”

I belive he met his guide, too bad they didnt get along.

ENEMY SPY FOUND DEAD
Murder Investigation Hits Snag

AZANULINBAR-DUM, MIDDLE EARTH – A two-week hunt for the infamous Dark
Servant spy Din Ohtar ended this morning when his body was found
floating in the fountain of the town square.

Local authorities have been on the hunt for two weeks since local
militia spotted the skanky spook sneaking up to the military barracks
in the center of town.

High Majesty Galadriel of the neighboring Sindar Nation was visiting
her longtime friend, Gimli, son of Gloin, this week, raising concerns
for her safety. She publicly dismissed those concerns and even called
for Din Ohtar to step forward for a duel. There was no response.

The local constabulatory has agreed to investigate the mysterious
death of the enemy spy, saying “We’ve hit a sort of … wall …
thingy … in our … uhm … efforts … to find the killer”, before
turning back to her Ale.

TELEGRAM

TO: UVATHA IV

FOUND BODY OF YOUR PATSY DIN OHTAR. WILL DELIVER WITH FULL
HONORS AND MILITARY ESCORT. REGARDS, THORIN II.

TELEGRAM

TO: THORIN II

ORCS CONTINUE TO RAPE AND TORTURE YOUR LITTLE GROIN. HAVE NO INTENTION ON DELIVERING HIM TO YOU ANYTIME SOON.

REGARDS,
SAURON

TELEGRAM

TO: IMRAHIL

ORCS CONTINUE TO RAPE AND TORTURE HIRLUIN. HAVE NO INTENTION ON DELIVERING HIM TO YOU ANYTIME SOON.

REGARDS,
SAURON

TELEGRAM

TO: NORTHMEN REPRESENTATIVES

ORCS CONTINUE TO RAPE AND TORTURE YOUR ILLUSTROUS LEADER BARD I. HAVE NO INTENTION ON DELIVERING HIM TO YOU ANYTIME SOON.

REGARDS,
SAURON

So – I’d like to turn my nation over to someone else and run the Telegram Delivery Nation. I think there’s a market here. :slight_smile:

No, no, no… how about working for MENN?

STEWARDSHIP OF GONDOR ENDS
Ruling Steward of Gondor Dead

OSGILIATH, MIDDLE EARTH – For nearly three months, Gondor sent its best and brightest to Osgiliath to pay homage to Tónn Varthkûr’s brilliance on the battlefield and trailblazing artistic creations. Alas, that pilgrimage came to an end with the destruction of the bridge leading to Osgiliath.

Not wanting to discourage future visits to the recently renovated gardens of Osgiliath, the orcs of Mordor welcomed North Gondor’s armies to dinner under the stars. [Our editors insisted we would be remiss if we failed to mention that the orcs ate their guests].

It was only fitting that Tónn Varthkûr presented Denethor’s skull to Sauron following a carefully prepared Gondorian blood pie desert. [Undisclosed sources state that Ecthelion II was overheard commenting that the pie was “to die for!”] The significance of this event was not lost on Sauron while the orcs polished the skulls of Faramir and Boromir included in Tónn’s most recent creation. Sauron announced that Mordor would sponsor Tónn’s Middle Earth tour with the hope of honing his “primitivist art” bone sculpture skills.

Tónn Varthkûr replied that he was honored. “Although Gondorian bones were an excellent material it is becoming more and more dificult to obtain. The loss of Denethor, Boromir, and Faramir will severely impact the importing of material,” replied Tónn. “A Middle Earth tour will help me find a suitable material to use for my next creation.” Asked if that tour would include a trip to Mirkwood, Tónn shook his head in disappointment. “It is a well known fact that Elven bones are too brittle for anything but burning. Damn inbred fairy tree hugging miscreants - hate to say it, but we warned you about them.”

When questioned about his next project, Tónn boasted that his next piece of art would not be so large, but a bit more stout, rotund, and hairy. In response to a follow up question regarding halflings, Tónn laughed “No, no, no, halfings are weak and soft. I am envisioning something more dense with a stone foundation, sort of a mountain base. Suaron has recently procurred a fine specimen from which I can examine. Ahh, but I reveal too much already…”

Dates and locations of Tónn’s next appearance will be published as they become available.

Well, to do it rightly, all you have to do is put the Rangers out of the game and we can 505 (Bribe) Aragorn II to return as King of Gondor.

So get on it, will ya’?

Interesting play on words there.

I was wondering whether you would catch that one! :smiley:

Bravo on the death of Din Othar. We did not expect that one.
Too bad you won’t have any use for the evil agent artifact.
Any chance you want to give it back?

Well, it did go over my head the first time. {rimshot}

Nobody expects…wait, wrong venue.

Sure. Just tell us what hex Ji Indur is moving to and we’ll meet him there.

  • Steven K. Mariner
    Dwarves-27

I just noticed you’ve spelled it Din Othar. Have I been spelling it wrong all this time?
If so, a lot of recent posts are about to get an edit.

Wait, I thought Prindy was the Long Rider.

Change of command?
Double identity?

Inquiring minds want to know.

  • Steven K. Mariner
    Dwarves-27

Hmm. Guessing double Identity. These were too close together.

  • Steven K. Mariner
    Dwarves-27

Well.

Re-reading from the beginning (a lot of which I’d skimmed due to my insane schedule at the time), and I ran across this gem (amongst others):

Oh, dear, I see now that a trend was begun on that day which has seen a rather fateful conclusion.

Maybe the Dwarves should go to Morannon instead of Lagri Orath.

No, wait – we choose Life.

  • Steven K. Mariner
    Dwarves-27