It's been a long road, but we've reached the end of our
campaign. Following in the footsteps of Balin, Rob and I have taken to Moria
and pretty much retold history as it happened in the books. For a recap of the
campaign, check previous PART1, PART2 & PART3. But it isn't over yet...
Going into the Final chapter, can Rob salvage the last shreds of Dwarvish
honour or will the Goblins horde slaughter them in anonymity?
They Are Coming...
In the depths of Moria, Balin has been entombed in the
kingdom he sought to reclaim and the few survivors have rallied themselves for
their last stand. They are few in number, hungry and far from home, but not
without hope. The Dwarfs know that they cannot escape, but will sell their
lives if but one of their number can make it back to Erebor with news of the expedition.
In the darkness, something far more sinister than mere goblins moves to
intervene.
As the fires of the Balrog are seen filling the gloom, the
Dwarfs waste no time and begin their escape. Goblins pour into the hall from
the great gates and is through one of these that the Dwarf survivors dash
towards.
The Goblin Shaman calls on the blood lust of his minions to
hold the Dwarfs from escaping, but it is not time yet. Knowing the Dwarfs have
the best chance if they can break their attacker's will to pursue, the Warriors of Moria go to work on the Goblins with their axes.
Meanwhile, holding the tomb entrance as best they can, a few
brave Dwarfs make heroic efforts against the mounting Goblins. Soon their
bravery will be tested...
With a roar, The Balrog enters the fray. The cavern shakes
with it's monstrous footfalls and the Goblins swarm the tomb chamber. The few
Dwarf warriors within hold their axes ready.
With their demonic overlord at their backs, the Goblins push
forwards. The few Dwarfs still in the Tomb are swept aside, lost in the sea of
rusted metal and gleaming eyes. Despite the swarm of foes, the stoic Dwarfs
fight on still.
At the gate, The Goblin Shaman is slain and his entourage
put to the axe. Though more Goblins arrive to fill the gap, The Dwarf warriors
have made their stand. The gate to the tunnels almost theirs.
Alas, Fire and Death had come at last. Hurling a burning
Dwarf across the cavern, the Balrog burst from the Tomb Chamber, his Goblin
underlings spreading before him. The flaming dwarf crashed into two of his
comrades, alerting the Dwarfs holding gate to their peril.
As the mighty Balrog advanced, a challenge in the tongue of
the Dwarfs was called out from the Tomb. Surrounded by foes and bleeding from
dozens of small injuries, the last Khazad Guard charged the Balrog.
The few Dwarfs still standing at the turned into the tunnels
and made their escape. The Sacrifice of their fellows would not be in vain.
Only one of their number needed to get through the Goblin patrols....
....Only one made it home to Erebor.
"One Dwarf Still Draws Breath!"
It was a tense final game. Rob had no heroes to rely on and
had to work from tactics and dice alone. He couldn't have made a better go of
it and it was a satisfactory end to our Campaign. In the end the Goblins gave total annihilation to the
Dwarfs in the Tomb, but a single Dwarf
made it back to Erebor. With Dwarfs fulfilling half their objectives (the other
being to kill 20 Goblins) the outcome was a Draw.
Well done to Rob for his efforts to really save face in the
final mission and thanks also to Ross (Go check out his YOUTUBE stuff) for
supplying some additional scenery to the board. It was a great experience to
play a story campaign like this and for those interested I heartily recommend
it as something different. It was a great excuse to get my Balrog painted so
that alone should be an endorsement.
I hope you enjoyed this series of posts. I'm looking forward
to doing more in the future.
