Elven Ruins from GameScenery

My Arwen Undómiel miniature from GW had me thinking of Elvish architecture, and I found a very nice elven circular ruined tower from www.gamescenery.com.

Ruin by GameScenery, figure by Citadel/GW

This model has the graceful arches, columns and circular style I've come to expect from Elvish buildings.

Ruin by GameScenery, figure by Citadel/GW

While it is a 3D print, the lines are very fine and I expect to hit it with a coat of Tetrion/plaster filler once I've sanded and primed it. There was a good deal of printer flash around the base, but it comes off nicely - the scraps are mostly whole, as can be seen in the piccies. Also, one needs to keep an eye out for small "whiskers", where the plastic was drawn out in a fine spider line.

As it happens, I have two other models from GameScenery - a set of side ruins, which I use for set pieces in Arthedain. These are two years old and have a rougher, "linear" texture compared to this newer model.

Nice to see the 3D printer tech improving.

-Namarie'-

Scenario: Kill Radagast!

Based on the Battle Games in Middle-earth #79 magazine article, modified for Knights & Magick, and using the K&M Single Combat rules. Hit points were assigned equal to half the Heroic Constitutions as a house modification.

Saruman the White has decided to remove "Radagast the Fool" from Rhosgobel, by killing him and retrieving his staff of power. The white wizard has sent three squads of his best troops to do so.

But Radagast has many friends in the forest, and the forces of the White Hand may meet a few surprises.

Free Peoples

Radagast's   Forces					259 Points
Name	# Figs	Type	Move	Weapons	AC	Mt	Con/W	Morale	Cost	X#
Radagast the Brown	1	Inf	7"	Staff +2/+2 Magic Lvl 6	2+	-	6/3	A	160	160
Spells: Conjure Ent (6), Crushing Roots (5),   Panic Mount, Heal , Terrifying Aura (2+)
Items & Abilities: Staff of Power, One with Nature, Bird Tamer
Gwahir	1	Fly	18"	Acl +4	1+	-	6/3	X	29	29
Cannot "charge" through trees.
.
Ents	2	Inf	6"	Ath+3 Acr+3	3	-	6/3	B	35	70
Abilities: One with Nature

Forces of Darkness

Isengard Uruk-Hai Band (x2)					185 Points
Name	# Figs	Type	Move	Weapons	AC	Mt	Con/W	Morale	Cost	X#
Uruk Captain	1	Inf	7"	Sw+2, Sp+1, Sh	2+	-	4/2	A	21 (+20)	41
Notes: Leader
.
Uruk-Hai	8	Inf	7"	Sw, Sp, Sh	2	-	-	A	14	112
.
Uruk Bows	2	Inf	7"	Bow+1, Sw	2	-	-	A	16	32

Warg-Riders					146 Points
Name	# Figs	Type	Move	Weapons	AC	Mt	Con/W	Morale	Cost	X#
Warg-master	1	Cav	11"	Sp+2, Sw+1, Sh	2+	-	2/1	A	26 (+20)	46
Notes: Leader
.
Warg-Riders	4	Cav	11"	Sp, Sw, Sh	2	-	-	A	25	100

In the initial playtest, Radagast somehow received the K&M spell "sorcery blast/fireball".  This effect is more in line with a D&D Magic Missile. Wizardly firebolts flew like a gatling gun. This didn't "feel" very Tolkien-ish, and was redacted from the second game. "Crushing Roots" was substituted, which had the added bonus of immobilising the target (if they survived the ent-like Acr+3 attack) for a turn.

For games with Saruman and Gandalf, "Sorcery Blast" needs to be harder to cast, with a small AoE (maybe a 3" blast template).

Post Game Thoughts
A second band of Uruks was added after the initial playtest. This resulted in a lot of points arrayed against the Brown Wizard - 516 vs. 259, but was offset by dispersing the Isengard forces to three table edges, and much of the map represented forest/forest floor, which was difficult going (x2 movement costs and blocks line-of-sight.)

Of course, none of Radagast's forces had to contend with difficult ground, either because they were flyers, or had the One with Nature skill (ignore forest terrain costs and l-o-s blocking). This was annoying to the Uruks, who plodded along at 3.5" (5.5" for Warg-riders) until they entered the clearing surrounding Radagast's home.

Giving Radagast a level 6 magic level was probably a bit stingy - after all, he's an Istari. Magic level could arguably be a 10 or higher, but it was kept low for play balance. As it was, his +2 staff of power made it practically impossible for him to fail to cast a spell, as long as he spent a few magic points as insurance.